Steve Beasant

“The benefits system needs to be much simpler, not least so officials can understand it properly,” said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb. 

Commenting on today’s Work and Pensions Select Committee report, Steve Webb said: “The Government’s failure to get to grips with the over-complex benefits system is appalling, especially when so much is down to official error.

“It is staggeringly unfair that the taxpayer is forced to stump up almost £1bn just because officials are unable to administer a system of their own creation.

“These blunders cause hardship and stress for many vulnerable people.

“The benefits system needs to be much simpler, not least so officials can understand it properly.”