The ombudsman has no power to compel the government to act – it can only recommend.
It says in its report, in pretty strong terms, that from what it heard from the Department for Work and Pensions, it doesn’t expect the government to volunteer to do anything.
It’s asking Parliament to try to find some way to intervene, but it’s not clear what that could actually mean.
In theory, a backbench MP could try to amend an existing piece of legislation going through the Commons to try to force action, but that doesn’t seem likely.
There could be some sort of vote, but that would be unlikely to be binding.
All the DWP and Downing Street are saying is that they will consider the report.
MPs asked questions about it in the Commons this morning and were told there is a hope for the minister to deliver a statement in the Commons before the Easter break.
But why would the government have an interest in putting off considering this report?
Because it could result in a costly compensation bill and they are already dealing with the Horizon Post Office IT scandal victims, the infected blood scandal compensation also coming down the tracks – both of which could potentially cost billions of pounds.
Labour hasn’t really responded to this either. They would inherit this problem if they were to win the next election.
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