Labour in bid to force release of reports to expose Universal Credit 'flaws'
Labour believe聽unreleased reports may contain information which will expose the problems with the controversial welfare reforms.
Monday 4 December 2017 22:41, UK
Labour are planning to table a binding vote demanding the publication of internal reports on the Universal Credit programme.
The party will deploy the Parliamentary procedure, which was also used to force the Government to hand over 58 Brexit impact papers.
The Universal Credit system merges six benefits into one and is designed to make claims simpler.
However, it has come under criticism for delayed payments leaving claimants in debt.
The reports, known as 'project assessment reviews', are detailed assessments of the implementation of UC.
Labour will use the procedure, which gives the House of Commons the power to require ministers to release Government papers to Parliament, in an opposition day debate on Tuesday.
Unlike typical opposition day debates, the motion, if passed, will be binding on the Government.
This follows a judgement by the Information Commissioner, which determined that five of the reports, drafted between 2012 and 2015, are in the public interest, and has called on the Government to release them to the campaigners who brought the challenge.
Labour believe they may contain further information to justify the party's call on the Government to pause and fix the programme.
In last month's Budget, the Chancellor announced a £1.5bn package to cut the waiting period and make it easier for claimants to receive an advance.
But Debbie Abrahams, shadow work and pensions secretary, said: "These reports could further expose the implementation flaws, design failures and the impacts of major cuts to Universal Credit, which is pushing people into poverty, debt and arrears.
"Labour has long called for a pause and fix of this programme, but the Chancellor failed to act in the Budget, meaning thousands of families will face a miserable Christmas.
"The Government should have abided by the Information Commissioner and released five of these reports into the public domain."