Scarborough Disability Action Group response
Updated 23 March 2020
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1. Question 7
In what ways do you think you could have made a valuable and constructive contribution to DWP’s work, and what would be the most effective way for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to engage with you?
1.1 Question 7 response
Scarborough Disability Action Group (DAG) has considerable experience in assisting and supporting disabled people to claim a wide range of disability benefits. Its knowledge of the benefits system and the impact this system has on its target group would have helped DWP enormously in its concern to improve its benefit delivery.
The most effective way to engage with the group would be via a regular line of communication and also, from time to time, face to face meetings.It is important however that for this discourse to be effective, DWP needs to recognise how DAG’s position allows it to form a clear and thorough perspective of the impact of welfare benefits on its target group.
2. Question 8
Would you wish to engage with DWP in future? Please provide the reasons for your answer?
2.1 Question 8 response
Yes, we would welcome such an opportunity to engage with DWP. We feel that it would vastly improve our own ability to deliver our service and it would enable DWP to make changes that are advantageous to the running of the system in a way that is fair and just to individual claimants.
3. Question 9
What would be the most effective way for DWP to make sure you could engage with them?
3.1 Question 9 response
The most effective way to engage with the group would be via a regular line of communication and also, from time to time, face to face meetings.
4. Question 10
Are there any areas or types of engagement that you would not have with the department?
4.1 Question 10 response
We would welcome any sort of engagement.
5. Question 11
Please tell us about other engagement you have had on disability issues with public sector or other organisations outside of DWP? For example: please explain the process for this engagement?
5.1 Question 11 response
We have regular meetings with several local organisations to discuss benefit issues and have also arranged public forums on key benefit topics.
6. Question 12
Do you have any suggestions to develop the process for you to be able to engage with DWP in future?
6.1 Question 12 response
Greater opportunity to work with DWP on a regular, direct and face to face basis. This would enable us to bring into greater focus issues that have been presented to the group by our service users.
7. Question 13
What would be your minimum expectations of who the department should consult, and how that consultation should take place, to provide reassurance that decisions taken by the Department are well-informed and credible?
7.1 Question 13 response
Ideally, DWP should make every effort to ensure that it makes it possible and practical for individuals to engage with DWP to provide their views of the benefit system. However, as a minimum, DWP should ensure that it engages with grass-roots organisations who are in contact with the public.
8. Question 14
Is there any other evidence on this subject you would like to add?
8.1 Question 14 response
No response.
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Scarborough DAG