Heidi sits as a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee. The Committee examines the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department for Work and Pensions and its associated public bodies. It is currently examining Universal Credit through an ongoing Inquiry. Through this Inquiry, the Committee has published reports about the initial launch and the interaction of Universal Credit and self-employment,
Continuing the work to improve Universal Credit
The Work & Pensions Select Committee are continuing their current inquiry into Universal Credit. This will be an ongoing project over the course of the Parliament and the roll-out of Universal Credit in different local authority areas. You can keep up to date with the Committee's continuing work here.
August 2018
In the summer of 2018 the Committee published its report into the impact of Universal Credit on households experiencing domestic violence.
The Committee warned that single household payments of Universal Credit could put claimants living with domestic abuse at risk of harm. Heidi Allen MP, Committee Member, said:
"One of the key improvements of Universal Credit over legacy benefit systems is the way it seeks to proactively support individuals. So it can't be right that payments are made by default as a single block to a household. In the 21st Century women deserve to be treated as independent citizens, with their own aspirations, responsibilities and challenges. Good Government develops solutions that are dynamic and responsive to the individual as well as offering value for the tax payer, so I urge the DWP to show what I know to be true - that it can deliver both."
October 2018
More recently the Committee turned its attention to the issue of managed migration and has requested an Oral Evidence session with Alok Sharma, MP, Minister of State for Employment. The Committee has expressed public concerns about the Department’s preparedness for managed migration following publication of a report by the National Audit Office. The report was published in June 2018.
The Committee is also examining the interaction of Universal Credit with childcare costs. Oral and written evidence is sought and further information about how to submit can be found here