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Vox Political has received a response from the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee (PAC) after calling for an investigation into the Department for Work and Pensions’ delay in publishing serious safeguarding data — including internal reviews into deaths of Universal Credit claimants.

It’s not good news…

As previously reported, the figures were released only after MPs had voted to cut disability-related benefit payments — and the DWP has repeatedly refused to explain why.

But the PAC says it will not take action.

The Committee does not currently have any plans to hold an inquiry into this issue,

said Assistant Clerk Ray Jerram.

The Public Accounts Committee scrutinises the Government’s spending of public money and its work is generally based on value for money and investigation reports produced by the National Audit Office.

In other words, the committee has suggested that we pass the matter to the National Audit Office (NAO) — which it says may be able to examine any concerns “as a first port of call”.

This is disappointing — but not unexpected.

And it will not stop this investigation.

Vox Political will now be contacting the National Audit Office directly, asking it to investigate whether:

• The DWP delayed publication of death-related review data in order to avoid scrutiny ahead of a parliamentary vote

• Civil servants fulfilled their duty to ensure MPs had full, accurate information before voting

• The department’s failure to publish IPR recommendations dating back to 2020 violates its own transparency commitments

Vox Political has already submitted a Freedom of Information request to the DWP, and is awaiting a response.

The Work and Pensions Committee has also acknowledged our letter.

This story isn’t over — it’s growing.

What you can do:

• 📬 Email your MP and ask what they knew before voting: TheyWorkForYou

• 🧾 Support independent scrutiny: Donate here

• 📢 Catch up on the full story so far: Read here

Together, we will keep pushing until we get answers.

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