Ministerial appointments at DWP hint at possible shift of emphasis

The UK Government’s appointments at the DWP have hinted at a shift of emphasis in respect of Universal Credit. Until recently, there was a Minister with overall responsibility for the implementation of Universal Credit – originally Lord Freud then, after his retirement from the Government, Caroline Nokes MP. Following the election and the subsequent new ministerial appointments, it appears that responsibility for Universal Credit is being split. Damian Hinds MP, who has been appointed as Minister of State for Employment, is responsible for “the labour market aspects and overall programme management” of Universal Credit; Caroline Dinenage MP has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance, with responsibility for “financial support for housing, including within Universal Credit”.