Committees

DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak

Inquiry

This inquiry looked at how coronavirus is affecting people who rely on the benefits system. It examined the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) response to the Covid-19 pandemic and whether the Universal Credit system meets the needs of those claiming benefits during this time.

It focused on:

  • The experiences of people claiming benefits for the first time
  • The experiences of people already claiming benefits
  • The experiences of people who need support but can’t claim any benefits.

Read the call for evidence to find out more about the inquiry.

Reports, special reports and government responses

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Fourth Report: The temporary increase in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
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HC 1193
Report
First Report: DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
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HC 178
Report
Response to this report
First Special Report - DWP’s response to the coronavirus outbreak: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report
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HC 732
Special Report
First Special Report - DWP’s response to the coronavirus outbreak: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
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HC 732
Special Report

Correspondence

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Correspondence on forecasting income poverty with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Institute for Fiscal Studies
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
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Correspondence
Letter from Minister for Welfare Delivery (Covid Local Support Grant – Extending the current arrangements)
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
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HC 235
Correspondence
Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the benefit cap grace period for UC claimants
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
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HC 178
Correspondence

Oral evidence transcripts

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16 September 2021
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Witnesses Will Quince (Minister for Welfare Delivery at Department for Work & Pensions), Mims Davies (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment at Department for Work and Pensions), and Neil Couling (Change Director General and Senior Responsible Owner Universal Credit at Department for Work and Pensions)
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Oral Evidence
8 September 2021
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Witnesses Vikki Waterman (Training co-ordinator), Anthony Lynam, Caroline Rice, Gemma Widdowfield, and Amina Nagawa
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Oral Evidence
2 February 2021
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Witnesses Minesh Patel (Principal Policy Manager at Citizens Advice), Laura Peters (Head of Advice and Information Services at Rethink Mental Illness), and Peter Tutton (Head of Policy, Research and Public Affairs at StepChange)
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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Shaw Trust (SWP0084)
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Welfare at a (Social) Distance Project, University of Leeds (SWP0089)
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Angela Madden (SWP0085)
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Other publications

No other publications published.

Contact us

We can’t usually help you with an individual problem or a specific complaint.

  • Email: workpencom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 8976 | 020 7219 1679 (Media)
  • Address: Work and Pensions Committee | House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA