Newly published correspondence from Maeve Sherlock sets out how the Government intends to safeguard people affected by proposed further methods of recovering social security debts.
The Department for Work and Pensions released the letters on 9 October. The committee’s letter is dated 7 September and the Labour minister’s reply 14 September: publication is the new development.
The Social Security Advisory Committee raised concerns about distinguishing people unable to pay from those unwilling to do so. It also sought clarity over evidence, vulnerability and the use of stronger recovery powers.
Sherlock described an approach involving testing and learning, affordability assessments and consideration of known vulnerabilities. Her reply also committed to updating the committee as implementation develops.
The correspondence concerns regulations under existing legislation. It does not show that every proposed recovery method is already operating against claimants.
The exchange makes the safeguards and unresolved scrutiny questions available for examination. Any use of stronger powers will need to be assessed against the requirements and protections governing those powers.
