Unclaimed benefits should spur Governments to act, MSPs say
Billions of pounds worth of benefits are unclaimed each year, and the UK and Scottish Governments must work more closely together to ensure people get their entitlements, according to a new report by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee.
MSPs on the committee welcomed the Scottish Government’s statutory duty to have a benefit uptake strategy, and praised the Government's attempts to increase the takeup of devolved benefits, but expressed alarm at the DWP’s lack of a similar strategy. They suggest that Social Security Scotland could take the lead on driving forward uptake strategies for both devolved and reserved benefits.
The report raises concerns about the lack of accurate data on estimating eligibility and takeup, which means that the full extent of the problem is not known, and calls on the two Governments to commission joint research to improve the data available.
It also highlights the continuing barriers which can mean people do not claim benefits they are entitled to. These include the stigma of claiming, people being unaware of what they are entitled to, onerous application processes, and those living in rural Scotland facing geographical barriers.
And it warns that the current "digital by default" approach in universal credit is excluding people who are not IT literate or do not have access to the internet. The committee wants all benefits to be available through multiple application channels.
Committee convener Bob Doris MSP commented: “It is simply not good enough that billions in benefits continue to go unclaimed every year. Given one of the DWP’s stated aims with universal credit was to increase takeup, the fact they have no strategy to achieve this is deeply alarming.
“It is absolutely vital we get more accurate data on the numbers entitled to benefits so that any communications strategies can be targeted at those in need who are missing out.
“Data sharing across Governments and agencies is a key factor in improving takeup rates and we are adamant that GDPR must not be used as an excuse to not share data. It’s also crucial that welfare agencies are adequately funded, and we are seeking increased and sustained funding for these agencies going forward.”
He added: “We have also heard concerns over a possible policy spillover issue where if the Scottish Government increases the uptake of a reserved benefit, then they may have to financially compensate the UK Government. That’s unacceptable. We need urgent clarity on this issue and a far greater level of coordination for maximising benefit takeup, whether devolved or reserved, is required.”