DWP Under Fire as Minister Admits Unacceptable Delays in Benefit Reviews

Minister Acknowledges Unfair Wait Times for Claimants

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has come under fire after a minister admitted that claimants are facing unacceptable delays in benefit reviews.

Excessive Delays Cause Hardship

In a parliamentary hearing, Work and Pensions Minister, Dr. Maggie Throup, acknowledged that some claimants were waiting over a year for their reviews to be processed. She admitted that these delays were "completely unacceptable" and were causing "hardship and anxiety" for those affected.

Delays Hinder Access to Justice

The delays have been met with widespread criticism from charities and campaign groups who argue that they are preventing claimants from accessing justice and obtaining the benefits they are entitled to.

Calls for Urgent Action

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a leading anti-poverty charity, has called for urgent action to address the delays. It has urged the government to increase funding for the DWP and introduce measures to streamline the review process.

Government Pledges Improvement

The government has pledged to improve the situation. Dr. Throup said that the DWP was "working hard" to reduce waiting times and had already taken steps to increase staffing and improve efficiency.

Ongoing Scrutiny

The DWP will face continued scrutiny over its handling of benefit reviews. The Public Accounts Committee, a parliamentary committee that scrutinizes government spending, has launched an inquiry into the issue.