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MPs to question DWP reps on safeguarding of vulnerable claimants

2 January 2025

The Work and Pensions Committee will question representatives from advice and advocacy groups, and from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as it continues its inquiry into safeguarding vulnerable claimants.

Members of the Committee will seek an update of the situation facing claimants, and on DWP policies and processes under the new Government before it reports its findings.  

The Department’s Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Gail Allsopp, will be among the witnesses to discuss her role in work relating to Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) reports and the work of the Serious Case Panel. The previous Committee heard in evidence that the Chief Medical Officer was responsible for identifying trends in PFDs. The Serious Case Panel is meant to consider issues from serious cases and recommend ways of tackling problems that arise in them. However, the previous Committee was told that the panels lacked transparency, despite the routine publication of minutes of their meetings.    

Among the other themes that are likely to be covered during the session are: 

  • Adequacy of training and multi-agency working; 
  • The work of psychologists in Jobcentres; and 
  • Changes to the Work Capability Assessment. 

The predecessor Committee’s initial inquiry, launched in 2023 following reports of deaths of DWP customers, was halted by the general election, but the matter was picked up again immediately by the new Committee due to its importance.  

Witnesses 

Panel 1 from 09.30: 

  • Sophie Francis-Cransfield, Head of Policy, Women’s Aid; 
  • Carri Swan, Welfare Rights Advisor, Child Poverty Action Group; 
  • Minesh Patel, Associate Director of Policy and Influencing, Mind; 
  • Tim Nicholls, Assistant Director of Policy research and Strategy, National Autistic Society.  

Panel 2 from 10.30 (approx.) 

  • Dr Gail Allsopp, Chief Medical Advisor, Department for Work and Pensions. 

Panel 3 from 11.00 (approx.)  

  • Dr Antonia Dietmann, Chief Psychologist and Head of Profession for Occupational Psychology, Department for Work and Pensions. 

Further information

Image: House of Commons