Benefit Reforms Under Threat after IT Glitch

[Dilizjo]

In today's Independent...

 

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

 

Looks like they have got it wrong again:frusty:

[sillygirl1]

IDS needs a reality check - pay him for 3 months on the 'top earning benefit rate' under the new system and see how he can manage - with no access to any other wealth generating income.

 

I think all MPs should, as part of their MP training, work for 6 months in the NHS at a non-management role and then have 6 months on benefits, that way we might start getting a system which works for people, rather than against them.

[estellyn]

IDS needs a reality check - pay him for 3 months on the 'top earning benefit rate' under the new system and see how he can manage - with no access to any other wealth generating income.

 

I think all MPs should, as part of their MP training, work for 6 months in the NHS at a non-management role and then have 6 months on benefits, that way we might start getting a system which works for people, rather than against them.

 

I think for anyone to be selected as a candidate to run for MP, they should have done 1000 hours volunteer work in total, with the underprivileged - it should be the law. That way we'l stop having upper class idiots representing us who know nothing about real life - they can still be MP's, but only if they've done the work.

[debt4get]

but you forget these people are 'BORN TO RULE' it is their god given right to show us plebs the way forward to a new utopia!!

[unclebulgaria67]

I have been involved in several non government IT changes and it is an absolute nightmare. I suspect many of you have as well. You have many 'workarounds' to do, to ensure that you have the correct records, payments and documents. I have been on the frontline taking calls, complaints and also working with IT specialists to resolve problems. The DWP staff will certainly earn their money and there will be plenty of overtime going.

 

When the universal benefit system goes live, they will be testing it on small volumes of people and it will take 3 years to be fully introduced.

[estellyn]

Yes, a place I worked at was trying to integrate the different systems their departments used into one 'windows' style system. By the time I moved on 3 years later, they had gone through two IT companies and seemed no nearer to going live.

[Nystagmite]

What a surprise. Not!

[antone]

I think for anyone to be selected as a candidate to run for MP, they should have done 1000 hours volunteer work in total, with the underprivileged - it should be the law. That way we'l stop having upper class idiots representing us who know nothing about real life - they can still be MP's, but only if they've done the work.

 

By the sounds of things, they should also spend 6 months deploying major IT systems for large organisations.

[flumps1976]

But of course those of us who will have to work with the new system and are doubtful of it working wouldn't be listened to when we voiced our concerns!

 

We said that HMRC wouldface problems when they introduced Tax Credits back in 2002/3, we were told to shut up but were proved right in the end and I still don't believe that the IT system works correctly.

 

Wait until the 19th when Universal Jobmatch starts, that is not due to be tested until Weds so no time at all to iron out any of the obligitory glitches that always happen!

[estellyn]

But of course those of us who will have to work with the new system and are doubtful of it working wouldn't be listened to when we voiced our concerns!

 

We said that HMRC wouldface problems when they introduced Tax Credits back in 2002/3, we were told to shut up but were proved right in the end and I still don't believe that the IT system works correctly.

 

Wait until the 19th when Universal Jobmatch starts, that is not due to be tested until Weds so no time at all to iron out any of the obligitory glitches that always happen!

 

They never listen to the workers in the trenches, who actually know something about these things - unlike IDS.

[osdset]

In my opinion IDS is clinically insane.

[dpick]

don't insult the insane please I'm one of them

 

dpick

[osdset]

don't insult the insane please I'm one of them

 

dpick

Ah! But you are not the SSWP

[westfield]

I think that a lot of politicians actually do want to do good they just do not get it,or get corrupted by the system. People who complain that politicians are born to rule in my opinion just have a chip on their shoulder. Labour are just as bad as the Tories but alas i think it's the world we live in.

[reallymadwoman]

I think we can all predict what is going to happen - IT glitches or not the government will push ahead with Universal Credit so around October next year there are going to be thousands of people being paid the wrong amount of money. Inevitably in most cases this will be too little, or none at all, but even those paid too much will be in trouble when it's deducted from their next payment or they get investigated for fraud.

 

I suspect a lot of charities and food banks are already gearing up for the rush.

[**Margaret**]

:Personnel and Technology Glitch:

 

Seem to remember another previous round of ill thought out and rushed legislation;

 

Err ...... Err ...... Oh yes, something called, 'employment and support allowance'.

 

Margaret.

Edited November 12, 2012 by **Margaret**

[Nystagmite]

I could probably do a better job than them...

[worried33]

they spend 2 billion (and upwards counting) to reduce benefit payments, sort of proves they dont care about the actual budget but more about just making life harder for those dependent on social security.

 

I would hazard a guess if the DWP budget remained the same but instead of going to claimants but to private companies for profit the government would see it as a job well done.

 

eg. the changes to housing benefit for 25-35 year olds which is wrecking lives saved around 300 million, this is less than the overshoot of the budget which seems to be ignored by the government and a fraction of the overall universal credit budget. Its not about saving money its about the money been spent where they want it to be spent.

[reallymadwoman]

I think if once all the IB reassessments are complete, the government ever released details of exactly how much it has cost and how much has been saved, I would be amazed if it's saved even one penny. More likely the cost of the assessments, extra staff to deal with the paperwork, appeals and compensation for all the cock ups will be far more than kicking some sick people off onto JSA can ever save, and I doubt PIP or Universal Credit or anything else is going to do any better.

[Astro1]

History repeats itself, ask Mr Boswell.

 

http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240078362/DWP-scraps-core-benefits-processing-programme

[dpick]

What gets me when I was working in IT if I had been heading up such a program as is IDS I would have had the boot long ago it would seem another example of one rule for us another for the plebs of the world.

 

dpick

[count orlok]

let's all pray to our gods that it does fail. If it does not there are going to be an awful lot of people going hungry and cold or even being put out on the streets.

 

All these reforms are costing billions more than they save. It is all a drive to destroy the welfare state and put money in the pockets of their buddies (after all when they all lose their jobs the MPs will need their new cushy jobs).

[osdset]

In the words of the song 'there may be trouble ahead'.......... the DWP are bracing themselves for a huge backlash from the media when the Work Programme figures are finally published on the 27th Nov, unless they have completely cooked the books, the figures will show that the WP is a dismal failure and a waste of public money.

 

UC is way over budget and at least a year behind schedule, the head honcho's in charge of rolling out the system are leaving in droves or going long term sick. IDS may be riding a wave at the moment but it's his head that will roll when this train finally comes off the rails.

[worried33]

legal aid isnt going away next year, the house of lords got some ammendments.

 

http://www.justice-for-all.org.uk/News/Legal-Aid-Bill-round-up

[estellyn]

legal aid isnt going away next year, the house of lords got some ammendments.

 

http://www.justice-for-all.org.uk/News/Legal-Aid-Bill-round-up

 

Hmmm:

 

 

Legal aid was retained for welfare benefit appeals to the second tier

tribunal and higher courts, and for the first tier tribunal on 'points of law'

only. The details will be worked out in a statutory instrument

 

Well any appeals worker will be appealling to first tier on a point of law - they're hardly going to say 'well we're appealling coz we don't like the decision'

 

The difficulty will be for advice agencies to stay open without the level of funding they used to have from the LSC. My old employer was struggling to stay open 3 years ago, unless they get some new source of funding, they will probably have to close - and they provide top quality advice for the county (even CAB refers lots of cases to them).