Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 2:06 pm on 25 January 2023.
Thank you very much for drawing that to our attention, Luke. I would like to take this up and follow this up with you, following your question today. This is where we have to work with the DWP and HMRC and there is good working, but actually, we have to ensure that the arrangements don't reduce access to means-tested benefits, and you've described that. We've got to identify opportunities to maximise reach. We actually have a pro forma that is being co-designed by Welsh Government, DWP and HMRC, but I will take this back on this particular issue. Can I just say that one of the disappointing outcomes I think recently of the work of the Welsh Affairs Committee was that they did suggest, they had a recommendation—it was chaired by Stephen Crabb—to bring together an inter-ministerial advisory board on social security between UK and Welsh Governments to look at the merits of devolving administration of welfare benefits to Wales? That was rejected by the UK Government, but I want to revisit that, because this is how we can address some of these issues.