What we do
The Social Security Act 1998 established a new process of benefit decision making and appeals through:
- easier to understand information for customers
- simpler processes for handling claims and issuing decisions
- faster, more flexible appeals to independent appeal tribunals
- more accountability by agency Chief Executives for the decision making process.
Independent monitoring
Under the new decision making and appeals process, the Secretary of State is responsible for the annual reporting on decision making. To maintain an independent element within the decision making reporting process, Parliament made the following commitment:
"Agencies will set up standards committees which will include external representatives. Those standards committees will consider the results of checking by quality control teams and will prompt any remedial action." (Transcript from the House of Lords, 30 March 1998)
How the Committee works
In February 2003 the DWP Standards Committee held its first meeting, replacing the Benefits Agency Standards Committee. Senior executives from The Pension Service, Jobcentre Plus and the Disability and Carers Service attend formal Standards Committee meetings.
The Committee also works closely with representatives from each Agency to:
- monitor progress against the Committee’s recommendations
- discuss decision making aspects of new processes.