‘Mr Teflon’ blast for IDS by MP

Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams has blasted the Government’s work and pensions chief following questions by auditors over a £300 million IT system for the new Universal Credit benefits system.

Ms Abrahams described Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith as “Mr Teflon”, who had blamed civil servants for problems rather than taking responsibility.

Mrs Abrahams highlighted a “damning” National Audit Office report about the Universal Credit system, the Government’s flagship welfare reform, launched in July, which brings several benefits under one banner.

The MP, who sits on the Work and Pensions Select Committee, said: “Not content with vilifying people on benefits, the majority of whom are pensioners or in low-paid jobs, Ian Duncan Smith is now attacking his own civil servants. He’s like Mr Teflon, abdicating all responsibility.

“He has misled Parliament and the public. I have never seen such a damning report from the National Audit Office, or anyone else, detailing financial mismanagement.”

The department isn’t yet able to assess the value of the systems it spent over £300 million to develop and has been forced to delay the national expansion of the programme.

Mr Duncan Smith said the problems have been solved and the new system is progressing.

Read the report at: www.nao.org.uk/report/universal-credit-early-progress