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
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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HC 1193
Report
First Report: DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Inquiry DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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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
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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HC 732
Special Report

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)
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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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
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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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)
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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273KB
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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SWP0089 - DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Witnesses Welfare at a (Social) Distance Project, University of Leeds
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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Written Evidence
SWP0085 - DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Witnesses Angela Madden
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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100KB
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41KB
Written Evidence
SWP0083 - DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
Witnesses Macmillian Cancer Support
Committees Work and Pensions Committee
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Written Evidence

Other publications

Correspondence
Committees exchange letters with government departments and others, often to request information or follow up on recommendations.
13 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 | Media enquiries to Oliver Florence on 020 7219 1679/florenceo@parliament.uk
  • Address: Work and Pensions Committee | House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA