Tackling the Complexity of the Benefits System PDF Download

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215028440
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
The complexity of the benefit system is a key factor affecting the performance of the Department for Work and Pensions. Although this complexity is often necessary in order to administer the system cost-effectively and protect public funds against abuse, it can also result in high levels of error by staff, confusion for customers and help create a climate where fraud can more easily take place. The Committee's report finds that although the DWP has taken steps to address this problem (for example, in the design of Pension Credit, simplifying claim processes for several benefits and better sharing of information with local authorities), these are rather piecemeal developments and it is difficult to tell whether the system as a whole has become more or less complex as there is currently no objective way of measuring it. Some of the steps taken to simplify processes for customers are a way of managing complexity, rather than eliminating it. Managing complexity requires well-trained staff supported by accessible guidance and assistance and efficient information technology systems, and the DWP should also improve its written communications with customers.

Author: Great Britain: National Audit Office
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 0102936153
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and its agencies, are responsible for administering around 40 social security benefits to the value of around £100 billion a year. Many of these benefits are linked together; hence some customers are in receipt of more than one benefit. The need for equity and fairness in interpreting legislation, is a cause of complexity. Incentives (e.g. to work) and rewards (e.g. for an individual's savings) have been built into procedures. Problems are caused by the interface between DWP benefits and tax credits (which are administered by HM Revenue and Customs); and by the constant flow of major and minor legislative and administrative changes. Simplified procedures would enable both staff and customers to understand the system better, and to avoid duplication of effort. There would also be less scope for benefits fraud (estimated at £2.6 billion in 2004-05). This NAO report also highlights the need for improved communication with customers and better use of new technology.

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Work and Pensions Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215035509
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Benefits Simplification : Seventh report of session 2006-07, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

Author: Great Britain. Parliament House of Commons. Committee of Public Accounts
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780215011541
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 41

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Book Description
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spends about £100 billion per year on welfare benefits (representing more than a quarter of central government expenditure) and it is estimated that £2 billion pounds are lost each year due to fraudulent claims, mostly for Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit. Following on from a National Audit Office report (HCP 393, session 2002-03; ISBN 010292063X), the Committee's report examines the progress made in reducing fraud levels, further actions required; and in particular considers the special problems of Housing Benefit fraud. The main conclusions reached include: i) that although the DWP has made some progress, more still needs to be done, for example in establishing performance improvement plans to address regional disparities; ii) the DWP will need to demonstrate that new initiatives launched to reduce housing benefit fraud are effective in reducing long-standing problems in performance deficiencies of some local authorities; and iii) the complexity of the benefits system needs to be reduced in order to made real and sustained progress in tackling benefit fraud.

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215521576
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description
Benefit fraud is a crime and undermines public confidence in the benefits system. In 2006-07, the Department for Work and Pensions estimated that it spent some £154 million on tackling fraud, identifying £106 million of overpaid benefit, against total benefit expenditure of £120 billion. The Department estimates that fraud fell from £2 billion in 2001-02 to £800 million in 2006-07, which is 0.6% of benefit expenditure. But the Department must do more to reverse the rise in official and customer error. Estimated error rose from £1 billion in 2001-02 to £1.9 billion in 2006-07. Benefit complexity is believed to be a major cause of error. Increasing the volume of pre-payment checks and encouraging customers to receive benefit payments directly into their bank accounts has prevented some fraud. The Department now works closely with the police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and local authorities to prevent, identify and act against fraud. But it could make more effective use of its powers and resources. While the Department successfully prosecutes 90 per cent of the cases it takes to court, the Prosecution Division has lost 17 per cent of its staff since 2003. Debt recovery is an essential part of tackling fraud, yet in 2006-07 the Department only recovered £22 million of fraud debt out of a known fraud debt stock of £339 million. The Department has been slow to improve its management information systems, hampering its ability to measure the cost-effectiveness of counter-fraud activities. It has taken from 2003 until February 2008 to roll out a new national management information system, known as FRAIMS, at a cost of £65 million.

Author: Gilbert Probst
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351287621
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
Our socio-economic systems continue to grow and evolve. We need to acknowledge that, consequently, our decisions often fail – they are ineffective and create unexpected side effects. The speed of execution is increasing constantly and markets and systems respond almost immediately, making decision-making challenging. There is little or no room for failure.This important new book analyses real world strategy and policy challenges, addressing the interconnectedness of the markets/systems we live in. It provides a step-by-step approach using systems thinking to solve complex problems in socio-political as well as business environment. It proposes a technique with which to better understand the problems and the context in which they arise, and tools to directly inform each step of the decision-making process. The book explores the main innovation that systemic thinking introduces – the emphasis on defining the problem creating system, which is made up of interacting parts, rather than prioritizing events that need immediate fixing.The case studies, examples and the approach proposed can be used to better understand reality and its complexity, and to integrate stakeholders for a better solution. Practically, it can be used to identify problems, analyse their boundaries, design interventions, forecast and measure their expected impacts, implement them and monitor and evaluate their success/failure. The book touches upon global issues related to policy making and strategic management, as well as issues related to sustainable development for both the public and private sector.

Author: Great Britain. Parliament House of Commons. Committee of Public Accounts
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780215009340
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 39

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Book Description
Government statistics estimate that two million pensioners live in low-income households, yet significant numbers do not claim the welfare benefits to which they are entitled. Following on from a report by the National Audit Office on initiatives to encourage take-up of benefits (HCP 37, session 2002-03; ISBN 0102919577), the Committee findings include that the complexity of the benefits system creates major barriers and that many pensioners find it difficult to obtain information. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has begun to focus on initiatives to raise awareness of benefits eligibility and availability amongst pensioners and their relatives as well as other key health care professionals. The creation of the Pension Service is a positive step, and its success will depend upon the setting of stretching take-up targets and improving data quality. Examples of good practice in partnership working with other agencies should be identified by the DWP and disseminated more widely to ensure that resources are targeted effectively. Weaknesses in the IT systems used to administer benefits need to be addressed to simplify processes and improve customer service.

Author: Pierre Massotte
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119694973
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 372

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Book Description
Pertinent to modern industry, administration, finance and society, the most pressing issue for firms today is how to reapproach the way we think and work in business. With topics ranging from improving productivity and coaxing economic growth after periods of market inactivity, Complex Decision-Making in Economy and Finance offers pragmatic solutions for dealing with the critical levels of disorder and chaos that have developed throughout the modern age. This book examines how to design complex products and systems, the benefits of collective intelligence and self-organization, and the best methods for handling risks in problematic environments. It also analyzes crises and how to manage them. This book is of benefit to companies and public bodies with regards to saving assets, reviving fortunes and laying the groundwork for robust, sustainable societal dividends. Examples, case studies, practical hints and guidelines illustrate the topics, particularly in finance.

Author: Great Britain: National Audit Office
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780102965568
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 40

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Book Description
In 2009-10 the Department for Work and Pensions overpaid its customers by an estimated £1.1 billion and made underpayments of £500 million. However, the scale of the challenge faced by the Department should not be underestimated. The benefits system is large, encompassing over 27 different benefits and a total caseload of around 20 million people. In addition, the Department has had to respond to the recent recession in which Jobseekers Allowance caseload almost doubled between 2008 and 2009. The recent announcement of the introduction of Universal Credit is an opportunity to simplify many of the regulations, but such changes will take a long time to implement. In the meantime, the onus remains on the Department to keep the costs of mistakes to a minimum. The Department has demonstrated a clear commitment to reducing administrative error, but there is scope for improvement in the quality of information used to assess where the Department should focus its efforts. Although DWP has initiated an exercise to understand fully the causes of error, this will not be complete until the spring of 2011. There is also scope for further work in collecting and analysing the full costs and benefits of the Department's interventions in order to assess cost effectiveness. The Government announced a new strategy in October 2010 with a greater emphasis on preventing errors from arising and this is now an opportunity for lessons to be learned.

Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Disability insurance claimants
Languages : en
Pages : 88

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