Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Safeguarding

Monday 19 June 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Debbie Abrahams asked about the effectiveness of the Department's safeguarding policies.
  • The Minister acknowledged serious issues but highlighted ongoing work to address them.
  • The Department expressed openness to proper engagement on processes to support claimants.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Safeguarding & DBS Standards & Ethics
Context

The question arises from repeated criticisms of the DWP's inadequacy in safeguarding vulnerable claimants, highlighted by multiple prevention of future deaths notices and a section 23 notice.

Question

What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of his Department's safeguarding policies? The woeful inadequacy of the DWP's safeguarding policy has been revealed time and again with five prevention of future deaths notices issued by coroners to successive Secretaries of State since 2012, a section 23 notice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission due to fears of discrimination against disabled claimants, and 140 more claimant deaths investigated between July 2019 and June 2022.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We had a good debate on these serious issues the week before last, when I placed on record the significant work officials are undertaking with Ministers to address these matters. We continue to be open to proper engagement around processes to ensure they are fit for purpose and support claimants through tailored approaches.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Failure of successive Secretaries of State to safeguard vulnerable claimants

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Q2 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Safeguarding & DBS Standards & Ethics
Context

The question arises from repeated criticisms of the DWP's inadequacy in safeguarding vulnerable claimants, highlighted by multiple prevention of future deaths notices and a section 23 notice.

Question

What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of his Department's safeguarding policies? The woeful inadequacy of the DWP's safeguarding policy has been revealed time and again with five prevention of future deaths notices issued by coroners to successive Secretaries of State since 2012, a section 23 notice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission due to fears of discrimination against disabled claimants, and 140 more claimant deaths investigated between July 2019 and June 2022.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

I say to the hon. Lady, who raises serious issues, that we had a good debate on these matters the week before last when I was able to place on record the significant work officials are undertaking with Ministers to address these concerns. We continue to be open to proper engagement around processes to ensure they are fit for purpose and support claimants through tailored approaches.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Failure of successive Secretaries of State to safeguard vulnerable claimants

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How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)