Tom Scotson

1 week ago | civilserviceworld.com | Jim Dunton |Tom Scotson

Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies has cast doubt on the connection between longer NHS waiting lists and significant growth in the number of people claiming working-age health benefits.   The study could mean policy pushes to boost economic growth by reducing hospital waiting lists – mooted by both the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Work and Pensions – have less chance of success than ministers hope.

1 month ago | civilserviceworld.com | Jim Dunton |Tom Scotson

A shortage of work coaches at the Department for Work and Pensions has led to reduced support for unemployed people and risks the prospect of higher benefits bills and more undetected fraud, the National Audit Office has said. According to the public-spending watchdog, DWP had around 2,300 fewer work coaches than the department estimated it needed in 2022-23 – a 13.2% shortfall on its target of around 17,400 to meet total demand.

1 month ago | civilserviceworld.com | Tom Scotson |Jim Dunton

Labour’s welfare reforms will see an additional 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – pushed into relative poverty, government analysis has found. Published yesterday alongside chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement, the Department for Work and Pensions assessment looks at how benefits cuts being introduced by the government will affect those impacted. It forecasts that by 2029-30, 3.2 million families will suffer an average financial loss of £1,720 a year.

2 months ago | civilserviceworld.com | Jim Dunton |Tom Scotson

A spat has opened up between a watchdog committee of MPs and peers and senior Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden over access to newly appointed national security adviser Jonathan Powell.   The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy is keen to hold an evidence session with Powell, who was appointed as NSA in November – something that has happened with all previous holders of the role since it was created in 2010.

Nov 26, 2024 | civilserviceworld.com | Tom Scotson |Tevye Markson

There is not enough institutional knowledge in Whitehall to support prime minister Keir Starmer's pursuit of a more "pragmatic" relationship with China, Lord Ricketts, the UK's former national security advisor, has said. Starmer this week said he wanted to build a more “serious and pragmatic” relationship with Beijing after he became the first British leader in six years to meet with Chinese Community Party leader Xi Jinping.