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16 November, 2020 Open access

Devolved nations call on Work and Pensions Secretary to develop a ‘more strategic approach’ to benefit take-up

Maximising take-up is a 'moral duty', say Scottish Social Security Secretary and Ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland

Maximising benefit take-up is a 'moral duty', the devolved nations have said, calling on the Work and Pensions Secretary Dr Thérèse Coffey to develop a 'more strategic approach'.

In a joint letter to Dr Coffey, the Scottish Social Security Secretary and Ministers from Wales and Northern Ireland highlight the action that each of their devolved governments is taking to promote benefit take-up, and ask -

'With this in mind, we write to urge a more strategic approach to maximising take-up from your Department. In particular we would very much welcome a published awareness raising strategy/communications campaign. We would be happy to meet at a Ministerial or official level to discuss the interdependencies and practicalities of this, and to share learning from our respective extensive stakeholder engagement and our own work to promote take-up.'

Referring to an agreement given by DWP officials in January 2020 - during an evidence session before the Scottish Parliament's Social Security Committee - to consider how the Department could be more proactive in using existing data to approach individuals claiming one benefit to make them aware of their possible eligibility for others, the letter continues -

'We would be grateful if you were able to give an update on the progress of that consideration. This is of interest to Ministers in all devolved administrations as we seek to ensure everyone who is eligible for financial support gets it. This is more important than ever as we face the economic impact of COVID-19 and we believe is also a moral duty to ensure citizens are fully supported.'

In addition, the letter repeats previous requests to the UK Government to make permanent the £20 per week increase to universal credit and working tax credit - brought in at the start of the coronavirus pandemic - and to announce it without delay in order to avoid causing further anxiety.

For more information, see Devolved nations call for joint effort to reach those in need from gov.scot