Spending of the Department for Work and Pensions

The subject for this debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee.  The application to the Committee was a cross-party application made by Ruth George MP and Heidi Allen MP, members of the Work and Pensions Committee.

The Department for Work and Pensions is the biggest spending department of government, accounting for nearly a quarter of all public spending.   DWP has a currently approved budget for this year for benefits and pensions spending of £183,307 million, as set out in its 2018-19 Main Estimate.   DWP’s 2018-19 Supplementary Estimate proposes an increase to this amount of £974 million or 0.5%, to bring it to £184,281 million.

Major changes to the benefits system are currently underway as a result of a series of substantial reforms introduced by the Coalition Government, and further measures initiated by governments since 2015.  These include the introduction of Universal Credit – which is replacing working-age means-tested benefits and tax credits and will eventually be received by around 7 million households – and Personal Independence Payment, which is replacing Disability Living Allowance for people of working age.

Other documents and briefings relevant to the debate include:

• Department for Work and Pensions, Supplementary Estimate 2018-19: Select Committee Memorandum, January 2019; and
• National Audit Office, Departmental Overview: Department for Work & Pensions, October 2018.