COVID-19 expenditure: ministerial direction
Published 18 June 2020
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From: The Right Honourable Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
To: Peter Schofield CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions.
Date: 8 April 2020.
Dear Peter,
Thank you for your letter dated 7 April 2020.
I want to put on record my gratitude to staff in the Department for their extraordinary efforts to support people across the country during this time of emergency.
I recognise, as part of this, the work you and your teams have been undertaking with colleagues at HM Treasury to ensure that availability of funding is not a barrier or delay to the actions we need to take. On that basis, and recognising the extraordinary circumstances this country is facing, I am content to direct you to authorise spend to ensure that the Department effectively responds to COVID-19, irrespective of the formalities of Departmental expenditure limits.
I am copying this letter to the Cabinet Secretary, the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Treasury Officer of Accounts.
Thérèse Coffey MP
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9DA.