Universal Credit Staff Vote To Strike over 'Inadequate' IT Systems

Universal Credit employees have voted to go on a two-day strike over inadequate IT systems and what they describe as an “increasingly oppressive working environment”. Staff in DWP centres in Glasgow and Bolton voted by 84 percent to go on strike over the troubled project, which aims to merge six working-age benefits into one. The PCS union has about 1,500 members across the two sites, representing over 80 percent of all staff, according to a spokesman.  Staff at the contact centres are responsible for taking calls from claimants, answering online enquires and processing claims. Their demands include “proper investment in IT and training”, an end to the “excessive target culture” and a “fundamental rethink of the new ways of working”. Read more on the Computer World website.

Universal Credit IT 'Probably Over Ambitious' Says NAO Director

A director of the National Audit Office (NAO) has said that the IT plans for Universal Credit were “probably over ambitious”, placing blame mostly on governance issues within the department. Max Tse was speaking at a Westminster Social Policy Forum Keynote Seminar where he said that although the NAO supported the vision for the government’s welfare reforms, execution has not been perfect. The NAO recently released a damning report on Universal Credit, where it claimed that the project had been badly managed and has failed to deliver against its rollout targets. Read more on Computerworld UK.

DWP Finally Admits Universal Credit IT Not Up To Scratch

The DWP has finally admitted that although its current IT solution for the flagship Universal Credit programme is viable, it is not up to scratch and is calling in the Government Digital Service (GDS) for help. It claims that any ‘enhanced IT solution’ that is built by GDS to complement the current system will have to be delivered on time and on budget.  There have been numerous reports of problems with the current IT system, as well as a number of changes in leadership. However, it is David Pitchford, head of the Major Projects Authority, whom took the lead on the project for three months that has recommended a new system be built to support the current implementation.   He advised that the current Universal Credit technology is already outdated.  Read more on Computer World.

Universal Credit Calculations 'Will Use Spreadsheets' In Early Rollout

When the early rollout of Universal Credit begins next month in Manchester and Cheshire most of the benefit calculations will be done manually, rather than using the system being developed by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), according to sources close to the situation.  Computerworld UK has been told that the only part of the final £500 million system that will be used will be to book appointments at job centres, with some personal details stored and used again. However, all final Universal Credit calculations will be carried out using spreadsheets.  Earlier this month it was revealed that the Universal Credit’s programme director, Hilary Reynolds, had stepped down from her responsibilities and ‘moved on to other work’ within DWP just four months after being appointed.  Read more on the Computerworld website.