Page 73 - Reforming Benefits Decision-Making -(updated - August 2021)

know what they can expect from the DWP and it can be subject to external
scrutiny.

2.97 We agree with the Select Committee, EHRC and others that the DWP
should establish and implement suitable performance measures which
should be made publicly available and accompanied by clear targets to
help ensure that the welfare system is transparent and accountable. The
DWP should also commission an independent evaluation of its current
monitoring and quality assurance systems and processes and adopt any
recommendations made for improvement in order to ensure that such
performance measures and targets are met (or indeed that current policy
and guidance is being properly followed).

Independent regulator

2.98 Performance indicators alone are, however, insufficient. In our view there is
also a need for formal independent oversight of DWP decision-making. It is
the biggest Government department in terms of staff and expenditure, yet it
205
is currently not subject to any external oversight, other than the National
206
Audit Office, whose remit is spending and value for money. Although there
is the SSAC, it is an advisory committee. Its main role is scrutinising
proposed regulations. It also comments on wider issues through its
independent work programme, but the Government has no obligation to act on
this. Other major Government departments and public bodies are subject to
independent oversight: Ofsted monitors the Department for Education’s
services, the Care Quality Commission and NHS Improvement monitor the
Department for Health and Social Care, whilst the Home Office is subject to

205 B. Guerin, ‘Civil service staff numbers’ (Institute for Government, May 2021); Institute for
Government, ‘Departmental budgets’ (March 2020).
206 As noted above there was previously independent reviewers for WCAs and PIP assessments.
However, these were time limited roles (the last WCA review was in 2014 and the last PIP assessment
review was in 2017) and confined only to health and disability assessments (see n. 13 and n.14 above).
In Northern Ireland there have also been two independent reviews into the PIP assessment process in
Northern Ireland, as required by the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015, however again
these are limited in scope and no further reviews are required by the Order (see n. 15 above).

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