Member

Finally, it is worth noting that some measures in the Bill are crucial for preventing the kinds of issues seen with carer’s allowance, but in other benefits. As the noble Lord knows, we are not proposing to use the eligibility verification measure with carer’s allowance, but it will improve the DWP’s access to critical data, helping to verify entitlements, identify errors and overpayments, and prevent a build-up of debt in three other benefits: universal credit, ESA and pension credit. Delaying the Bill would delay the opportunity to stop others building up overpayments and debts. As I have outlined many times, there are robust safeguards to ensure the proportionate and effective use of these powers, including independent oversight, new rights of review and appeal, and clear limits on scope. I hope, having given the assurances the noble Lord was seeking, that he will now feel able to withdraw his amendment.