DWP failures and the real life costs

BobbyMac

Better information ?

It's interpretations of information, not raw information being argued over - because we are selecting and picking the measures, data sets and time frames on which to focus.
Depending on what time period, what coefficient/measure you and what specifically you compare, you can 'present' differing pictures of the economy, income inequality, living standards etc.

Just for example, it is a 'fact' that in the last 10years income inequality for pensioners has been on an upward(increasing = bad) trend which marks the end of a 27yr downwards(decreasing inequality = good).
If you take the last 8yrs not 10, income equality overall has risen for all individuals.

Adding to the fact that external factors like the global financial crisis needs to be accounted for since it has a significant effect on the time periods under discussion and comparrison.

richp007

Definitely.

Derek S-H

Update on the tragic Stephen Smith story.

Anger as probe into six-stone Stephen Smith finds DWP 'followed policy'

As expected, fudgeing disgusting findings.

Pacifico

I’m confused, why is Amber Rudd meddling in the Civil Service’s business?

Trollslayer

Good point.

Derek S-H

A "mistake"?

I got the impression from that report that they were correctly following policy procedures, but that "lessons would be learned" (hah!)?

If it was a mistake, then yes, you're right, we're only human and we all make mistakes. However, the DWP doesn't make mistakes; it's usually the claimant's fault for not providing the telephone book-sized folder of supporting evidence, or they missed the deadline by 10 seconds or, most inconveniently of all, they killed themselves.

Pacifico

If they didnt make a mistake in their welfare calculations why did they reimburse the guy £4,000?

"And after finally agreeing to re-instate his ESA, the DWP has now informed the ECHO he will also receive back-payments for the money he was wrongly denied."
​So do you believe that changing the political party that runs the government is going to stop all mistakes in the DWP?

richp007

It's doesn't matter whose in government. It's about not making mistakes from driving policy that is literally taking people's lives.

I am mortified by this case in the fact that there were clearly people signing off on what was happening. And no-one seemingly took a step back and said "hang on a minute."

That makes me wonder why, and what strength the policy had to wilfully ignore the advice of medical professionals.

Far more inquiry is required at higher levels.

Trollslayer

People get overworked,  are under resourced and become bitter.
All too common.

Toko Black

I doubt many people are so deluded as to believe a different government would neither make no mistakes nor be the ultimate panacea for the DWP or the welfare state ... just as I doubt that many people are so deluded to believe the current government have made things better for the poor and disabled.