Inquiry into DWP safeguarding of vulnerable people on benefits 'reopened'

An inquiry into the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) safeguarding of vulnerable benefit claimants has been reopened. Parliament's Work and Pensions Committee has reopened an inquiry into the DWP treatment of vulnerable benefit claimants.

The previous iteration of the committee launched an inquiry asking whether DWP’s approach to safeguarding needs to change in July 2023, following reports that a number of its “customers” had died. The committee – which is now headed up by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams – said it would formally reopen the inquiry “in light of the seriousness of this subject”.

“We will continue our evaluation of DWP’s approach to safeguarding, and seek to understand how the new government intends to rise to the challenge of ensuring it supports those who find it difficult to interact with the benefit system,” it said.

READ MORE Exact date UK hammered by -9C 'snow bomb' which will last 'five days'

There are many people who claim benefits from DWP who are considered vulnerable and in need of special care, support or protection to ensure that they are able to access the public services they require from the Department. Although DWP implements a number of safeguarding processes to help provide additional support to these people, DWP does not currently have a statutory duty to safeguard the wellbeing of vulnerable claimants.

DWP guidance describes these IPRs as “an opportunity for the department to understand customers’ experiences and to ensure DWP’s people have followed the correct processes”. “Where this is not the case, they seek to understand why, to inform future learning activity to improve services,” it adds.

Tthe committee said: “We have decided to formally reopen our inquiry into safeguarding vulnerable claimants. We will continue our evaluation of DWP’s approach to safeguarding, and seek to understand how the new Government intends to rise to the challenge of ensuring it supports those who find it difficult to interact with the benefit system."

The committee will report “in due course”, it said.