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Written Question
Universal Credit: Maladministration
Monday 27th November 2023

Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 14 November to Question 17 on Universal Credit, if he will estimate the number of working Universal Credit recipients who received an incorrect Universal Credit payment as a result of an employer's incorrect real time information submission to HMRC in the latest month for which data is available.

Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

For the last 12 months, UC has received around 29 million RTI feeds to calculate UC payments for those households with employed earnings. Where errors affect UC entitlement, payments are corrected as part of normal business.


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the value of special payments made in relating to the award of an (a) Personal Independence Payment, (b) Employment and Support Allowance work capability assessment and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessment in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many special payments were made after being proactively considered by his Department for decisions relating to the award of a (a) personal independence payment, (b) employment and support allowance work capability assessment and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessment in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many special payments were made after being requested by individuals or their advocates on decisions of (a) Personal Independence Payment, (b) Employment Support Allowance's work capability assessments and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessments in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the value was of special payments made after being considered by his Department in relation to decisions of (a) Personal Independence Payment, (b) Employment Support Allowance's Work Capability Assessment and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessments in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the value was of special payments that were made after being proactively considered by his Department for decisions relating to the award of a (a) personal independence payment, (b) employment and support allowance work capability assessment and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessment in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many special payments were made by his Department for decisions relating to the award of a (a) personal independence payment, (b) employment and support allowance work capability assessment and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessment in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many special payments were proactively considered by his Department for decisions relating to the award of a (a) personal independence payment, (b) employment and support allowance work capability assessment and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessment in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many requests for special payments were received by his Department for decisions relating to the award of a (a) personal independence payment, (b) employment and support allowance work capability assessment and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessment in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).


Written Question
Work Capability Assessment
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many special payments were considered by his Department for decisions relating to the award of a (a) personal independence payment, (b) employment and support allowance work capability assessment and (c) Universal Credit work capability assessment in the latest 12 month period for which data is available.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The department aims to provide a good level of service to our customers, which includes robust decision making. Whilst we strive to provide the best possible service to our customers, we don’t always get it right and, when this happens, the Special Payments scheme is there to acknowledge any impacts caused as a result of DWP maladministration. If a benefit decision is over-turned, it does not mean that the original decision was caused by maladministration.

In 2021-22, we authorised 9,585 ex-gratia payments (against our customer base of 22 million) totalling £1.20 million for maladministration. We do not hold a breakdown by benefit type for special payments issued.

The department publishes special payment data annually in their DWP Annual Report and Accounts on GOV.UK. See page 86 of the following link: DWP annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Special Payment data for 2022/23 will be available later in the year.

The DWP’s Policy and Guiding Principles guide: ‘Financial Redress for Maladministration’ explains each category of special payment (para 5 to 5.14). The guide can be found on: Compensation for poor service: staff guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).