General Chat

perhaps for those who might be affected when this comes in ( if it does!).

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/benefits-reform-under-threat-after-it-glitch-8303835.html

"Universal credit has a development budget of £2bn. It is supposed to be a paperless online IT system for claimants that would bridge the DWP's data with the Treasury. Six separate benefits are to be combined into one payment.

However, the project, according to senior Whitehall sources, is already suffering a £100m overrun. There are also concerns that a further £300m is being hidden by rising costs reallocated to child support payments.

A reorganisation of the complex IT system, following the departure this month of key senior civil servants in charge of universal credit, could mean an overrun of £500m by next spring.


its national launch – scheduled for October next year – will now be limited to small regional projects. Sources within the DWP have told The IoS that a realistic national roll-out – regardless of the department's public assurances – is already a year behind schedule amid fears that "technical issues over computer software" could push that back further."

This sort of thing (budgets hopelessly overspent, timescales not met) seems to happen with great regularity in Government departments.

Senior civil servants are chosen from the cleverest people available. Do their brains and their application to tasks go to sleep when they get on the career ladder? Or are they not able to manage outsourced projects effectively?

I read the announcement a couple of months ago that there were to be pilot schemes in limited areas. I cannot see how this reform will work and in all honesty I can see it being modified or scrapped before it is due to be implemented nationwide.

What isn't publicised is the lack of training for staff who are going to manage this. Plus where are they going to come from? Every department in the DWP is understaffed now. I am not referring to job centres!

Three major reforms in 2 years costing gawd know how much and who will suffer? Genuine applicants who will have to jump through another set of hoops that get ever higher.

Sue

Well, IDS is supposed to be in charge of all this. Wonder if his head will roll, and Nadine Dorries has left the fray temporarily and will take over the DSS on her return :-S :-S

Its called ( in civil Service Speak) All in Due Course. that covers everything.**M**.

so we have longer to worry how this will affect us brilliant. They have already changed my DLA from indefinite to 3 years even though I am worse so have all that worry again of getting people to beleive this invisible disability but its not just me who will be affected in this household as laddo is on DLA but his has just gone from child to adult and given it to him indefinitely which we know it wont be if this comes in.

Bet the fraudsters will still wangle the system though and leave us genuine claimants struggling as usual

d x