Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) algorithmic and (b) other automated decision making systems his Department uses; and for what purposes.

The Department does use algorithms and automated decision making in some services and processes, which allow us to improve accuracy, speed up delivery and free up colleagues’ time so they can support the people who need it most. A list of the services and processes which fall under Article 22(1) of the UK GDPR was contained in PQ187258.

Review or appeal options are built in to all DWP benefit processes, even where this is not specifically required by data protection laws. The Department is always careful to process data lawfully, proportionately, and ethically with safeguards for the protection of individuals. DWP does not use Artificial Intelligence for automated decision making. DWP’s Personal Information Charter explains how and why we use personal information and citizen’s rights and responsibilities.