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- Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law)
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11 years 7 months ago #94366 by Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law)
PLEASE READ THE SPOTLIGHTS AREA OF THE FORUM REGULARLY, OTHERWISE YOU MAY MISS OUT ON IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Universal Credit was created by Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law)
Regretfully, I am locked out of the Benefits News, or it's not working. So posting this in forum until I can contact Steve. From today's 'Telegraph' :
Universal Credit officials removed
Iain Duncan Smith has insisted that his flagship welfare reform programme remains on track despite the departure of key officials.
Whitehall sources have claimed that the Universal Credit project is running into trouble after two of the most senior civil servants working on it were replaced and a third went absent.
The four-year implementation of Universal Credit is due to start next year, replacing several different benefits with a single payment.
The timetable for the complex new system has led to predictions of delay and mismanagement, which Mr Duncan Smith has angrily rejected.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed changes in several senior posts on the on Universal Credit project
Malcolm Whitehouse is leaving his post at as programme director for Universal Credit. Steve Dover, who runs the DWP’s major IT programmes is also being replaced as “corporate director” of the project.
Mr Whitehouse and Mr Dover are being replaced by other officials, the department said.
Meanwhile, Terry Moran, the most senior civil servant overseeing the project, is now on sick leave.
Mr Moran publicly complained earlier this year that media reports raising doubts about Universal Credit were demoralising staff.
Liam Byrne, the Labour shadow work and pensions secretary, this week accused Mr Duncan Smith of losing control of the reform project.
“On universal credit, it does not appear that the Secretary of State has got a grip,” he said.
Mr Duncan Smith has dismissed Labour questions about the project as “rather pathetic” and insisted that the scheme will be delivered “exactly as we have intended, on time and on budget.”
A DWP spokesman said that the changes in staff posts were normal and did not mean there are problems with the project.He said: "With the early roll out of Universal Credit starting in less than six months time, the programme is moving from system design to delivery. As you would expect, there have been some staff changes to reflect this shift in focus onto implementation."
Source
Universal Credit officials removed
Iain Duncan Smith has insisted that his flagship welfare reform programme remains on track despite the departure of key officials.
Whitehall sources have claimed that the Universal Credit project is running into trouble after two of the most senior civil servants working on it were replaced and a third went absent.
The four-year implementation of Universal Credit is due to start next year, replacing several different benefits with a single payment.
The timetable for the complex new system has led to predictions of delay and mismanagement, which Mr Duncan Smith has angrily rejected.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed changes in several senior posts on the on Universal Credit project
Malcolm Whitehouse is leaving his post at as programme director for Universal Credit. Steve Dover, who runs the DWP’s major IT programmes is also being replaced as “corporate director” of the project.
Mr Whitehouse and Mr Dover are being replaced by other officials, the department said.
Meanwhile, Terry Moran, the most senior civil servant overseeing the project, is now on sick leave.
Mr Moran publicly complained earlier this year that media reports raising doubts about Universal Credit were demoralising staff.
Liam Byrne, the Labour shadow work and pensions secretary, this week accused Mr Duncan Smith of losing control of the reform project.
“On universal credit, it does not appear that the Secretary of State has got a grip,” he said.
Mr Duncan Smith has dismissed Labour questions about the project as “rather pathetic” and insisted that the scheme will be delivered “exactly as we have intended, on time and on budget.”
A DWP spokesman said that the changes in staff posts were normal and did not mean there are problems with the project.He said: "With the early roll out of Universal Credit starting in less than six months time, the programme is moving from system design to delivery. As you would expect, there have been some staff changes to reflect this shift in focus onto implementation."
Source
PLEASE READ THE SPOTLIGHTS AREA OF THE FORUM REGULARLY, OTHERWISE YOU MAY MISS OUT ON IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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