Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what auditing processes are in place to monitor the use of equipment and technology provided to claimants through the Flexible Support Fund, and how the Department assures itself that equipment purchased using the Flexible Support Fund is used for its intended purpose.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Flexible Support Fund was introduced in April 2011. It provides discretionary support to help individuals move closer to employment. Work coaches must exercise their discretion in line with national and local guidance, ensuring that Flexible Support Fund (FSF) awards are reasonable, good value for money, and aimed at improving employment prospects. They consider each request on a case-by-case basis, confirming that all other funding options have been explored and that the individual cannot reasonably meet the cost themselves. As FSF is public money, work coaches must be confident that any award is necessary and appropriate ‑case basis, confirming that all other funding options have been explored and that the individual cannot reasonably meet the cost themselves. As FSF is public money, work coaches must be confident that any award is necessary and appropriate.
Once an award is made, work coaches must verify that the item is used as intended. If concerns arise — for example, where training supported by a purchased item was not attended — the coach will seek an explanation and determine whether repayment is required. Independent post-award checks also provide assurance that awards are accurate and appropriate‑award checks also provide assurance that awards are accurate and appropriate. A new digital FSF application, to be launched nationally by the end of March, will improve oversight and provide more detailed data to support stronger scrutiny of awards.