Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the legal basis of the benefits appointee system.
Appointments are made under regulation 33 of The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987/1968 for legacy benefits and regulation 57 of The Universal Credits, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2013/380 for the New Style benefits. Both are supplemented by detailed guidance and provide a sound basis for the department’s appointee system.