IAIN DUNCAN SMITH has insisted that his welfare reform programme remains on track despite the departure of officials.
Whitehall sources have claimed that the Universal Credit project is running into trouble after two of the most senior civil servants working on it were replaced and a third went absent.
The four-year implementation of the scheme is due to start next year,
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed changes in several senior posts on the project. Malcolm Whitehouse is leaving his post as programme director for Universal Credit. Steve Dover, who runs the department’s major IT programmes, is also being replaced as “corporate director” of the project.
Terry Moran, the most senior civil servant overseeing the project, is on sick leave.
Liam Byrne, the shadow work and pensions secretary, accused Mr Duncan Smith of losing control of the project. “On Universal Credit, it does not appear that the Secretary of State has got a grip.”
Mr Duncan Smith has insisted that the scheme will be delivered
“exactly as we have intended, on time and on budget”.
A department spokesman said that the changes in staff posts were normal and did not mean that there were problems with the project.
….and oh yes, best wishes to Alan Cave
