Writing To The DWP

dookar

dmg24 wrote: »

You're not really trying to explain that to me, are you?

The fact is that, even when cases go to judicial review, they rarely involve the SoS. All because something is done in his name, it doesn't mean that he has any involvement in it.

Only the first paragraph was in reply to you

But of course he is involved - it's his title in the legislation - when I was trained as a DM it was made very clear that I was making decisions on behalf of whomever was SoS.

Morglin

DM's do state they are making decisions on behalf of whatever SoS that happens to be there at the time, but all decisions made at that level at just implementation of the rules in place under that particular government.

To call them 'decision monkeys' is a little unfair on those who are just paid to enforce any rules and process all claims.

There's no room for any manoeuvre with the rules (unless it is a discretionary benefit/grant), but if the DWP make a decision that the claimant disagrees with, the only remedy is to appeal it, in the normal way.

Writing to IDS won't make the slightest bit of difference to any decision made at local level.

There's also the point that IDS is rarely seen or heard now, unlike in the first few months - he just sends Grayling up as his patsy to take all the flak.

Lin

stazi

Maybe the OP is too young to realise that DWP/JCP decision making is all to do with World War 2 and the 'Carltona Principle'?!!

fluffymovie

It's been a little while since I undertook studies of the UK constitutional framework but I think I remember how this works.

Elected MP's debate the Green papers and these become the white papers / bills which then are voted into legislation. When we look at benefits, MP's have passed the Social Security and Contributions Benefit Act in 1992. This detailed the delegated powers to set the rules that the DWP apply which then become the regulations that we in benefits work from.

IDS, whilst being the 'face' of benefits wouldn't be able to answer a query about eligibility for Income Support any more than your normal man in the street. Also, would suggest that terms like Monkeys and Organ Grinder, wouldn't engender a feeling of wanting to help from those given those names!!!

Uncertain

dookar wrote: »

But of course he is involved - it's his title in the legislation - when I was trained as a DM it was made very clear that I was making decisions on behalf of whomever was SoS.

Oh for heaven's sake!

If you want to take it far enough the Secretary of Sate and even the Prime Minister are answerable to the Queen.

I'm sure if you write to her you will get a nice polite reply from a Lady-in-Waiting but it won't get you anywhere!
:rotfl:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgyX5yY98F4