MPs Call for DWP To Have Statutory Duty to Safeguard Claimants

In their report, Safeguarding Vulnerable Claimants, MPs called for the DWP should be obligated to refer vulnerable claimants to other agencies that have a duty of care, with the Secretary of State held accountable for the safeguarding duty. 

This new legal obligation is the key recommendation which underpins the importance of the shift in DWP culture the Committee believes is needed. It is part of a broader set of recommendations to drive the “fundamental” cultural change needed to repair “sorely damaged” public trust. 

Instead of a “piecemeal” approach, the Committee wants to see a comprehensive, joined-up approach to safeguarding, which is part of policy development, implementation and review, and involves everyone in the department. 

In addition, the potential health impacts of all new significant policies must be assessed by the DWP’s Chief Medical Advisor’s team as part of this cultural change, the report concluded. Currently, such health assessments are not carried out consistently on all major policy changes. 

Committee Chair Debbie Abrahams said, “That people continue to face harm after dealing with the DWP is a self-evident failure of safeguarding in the system.  

Until recently, getting people back into work to cut costs had been prioritised over providing support and care for vulnerable people.  

We heard evidence that the process of engaging with the DWP itself too often led to mental distress. Where this led to not being able to get financial support, many had paid the ultimate price.” 

She added: “Too often, we heard their trust has been smashed by continual cost-cutting drives and an unhelpful media narrative.  

“Many fear coming forward and expressing that they need additional support due to their circumstances and they fall deeper into vulnerability and despair as a result.”   

Stressing that this needs to change, she said: “Is this a system that is going to help people find their way back into sustainable work? Is this a system that will humanely support those who never can? Both need to happen.” 

“Deep-rooted cultural change of the DWP is desperately needed to rebuild trust and put safeguarding at the heart of policy development.” 

“Introducing a statutory duty to safeguard vulnerable claimants for the Department is a fundamental part of this. It will help to focus minds from the top-down, ensuring that safeguarding is everyone’s business; improving accountability, and ensure proactive identification of vulnerability and the consistent application of the best protective practices.” 

The report is the culmination of two years of work by the current and predecessor Committees. It was originally launched after safeguarding concerns were raised involving several high-profile deaths of Disabled claimants, including those of Errol Graham, Phillipa Day, Jodey Whiting and Kevin Gale. 

Ken Butler DR UK’s Welfare Rights and Policy Officer said: “DR UK strongly supports the MP’s recommendation that the DWP have a statutory duty of care towards claimants. 

However, this should be coupled with a public inquiry into benefit related deaths and an Independent Advisory Panel to replace the totally inadequate DWP Serious Case Panel.” 

The Work and Pensions Committee’s new report, Safeguarding Vulnerable Claimants is available from parliament.uk. 

For more information see The Department: How a Violent Government Bureaucracy Killed Hundreds and Hid the Evidence by John Pring. 

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