The government’s own major projects watchdog has questioned whether the Department for Work and Pensions is on track with some of its key welfare reforms.
In its annual report the cabinet office’s Major Projects Authority has given amber/red ratings to two of the department’s reforms: universal credit, and the overall benefit cap.
Both are crucial parts of the government’s drive to address the rising benefit bill.
The overall benefit cap, which was introduced in four areas at the start of April and is due to roll out nationally from July, sets a total amount that can be claimed per year through all types of welfare payments. Limits are set at £500 per week for couples and lone parents, and £350 per week for single adults.
Universal credit is at the heart of the government’s reforms. It combines a range of benefits, including housing benefit, into a single monthly payment. It has been launched in one area, Ashton-under-Lyne, and is due to start a national roll-out in October.
The DWP said the data used for the rating was seven months old and that ‘signficant progress has been made’ since then.
‘The pathfinder was successfully launched and we are on course both to expand the pathfinder in July 2013 and start the progressive national roll-out of universal credit in October,’ it said.
The Major Projects Authority was set up by the coalition government to address perceived failings in the ability of the civil service to deliver major projects effectively. It is currently monitoring 191 government projects, of which 32 are rated green, 49 are amber/green, 58 are amber, 23 are amber/red, and eight are red.