I've been trying to find out how the DWP measures the impact of changes to the welfare system, particularly with regard to disability - what they term "equality impact assessment".
I've had two replies to this. One is from the DWP Ministerial Correspondence Unit:
"it is nearly impossible to measure the impact of such a wide range of reforms and changes, particularly as they are not in place fully, and case loads are dynamic"
The second is from the Minister for Disabled People - Mike Penning M.P. Seems he is briefed by his team....
"It is nearly impossible to measure the impact of such a wide range of reforms and changes, particularly as they are not in place fully, and caseloads are dynamic. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has also said that it would be nearly impossible to do a cumulative impact assessment".
But he does say also:
Reforming the benefit system aims to make it fairer, more affordable and better able to tackle poverty, worklessness and welfare dependency. We have tried to make fair choices and to protect those who are most in need and have looked closely at the impact of decisions on different groups, including disabled people"
Very commendable if these assurances mean anything, but if they are unable to measure the impact, how do they know they have protected those most in need?
Wheeeee... aren't we having a wonderful time scrapping the welfare state, the national health service, state education........ Never mind that we haven't a clue whether we're doing any damage. we're having a whale of a time being a Government again......
Tough if you're recently homeless as a result of the welfare reforms, as is the case for one of the correspondents in this forum .........
