Department for Work and Pensions: Disclosure of Information

(asked on 13th July 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he is taking steps to ensure that staff in his Department who are under investigation for alleged misconduct are not named before those allegations are proven.


Answered by
Mims Davies Portrait
Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 20th July 2023

All cases of misconduct must be dealt with promptly. DWP’s discipline policy follows the wider Civil Service model policy and is explicit that anyone involved in a discipline case must maintain confidentiality throughout the investigation process and after the matter has concluded. All information relating to a case is confidential and must only be seen by the relevant people as required by the discipline process.

The Government Internal Audit Agency’s Counter Fraud & Investigation (CF&I) team investigates allegations of serious offending by DWP staff, which may result in warnings, dismissal, or criminal proceedings. CF&I also investigates allegations of fraud and irregularities by the department’s contractors.

Access to investigation records is limited to CF&I staff with a business need and all staff must adhere to the GIAA Code of Conduct and data protection laws. Should the investigation progress to interview, individuals (including witnesses) are advised that all information relating to the investigation and any subsequent disciplinary process is confidential. Those involved in an investigation should not discuss or share information about the case except in specified circumstances.

Confidentiality is crucial and anyone not complying with this requirement or discussing a case without authorisation may themselves to subject to disciplinary action.

An independent Decision Maker in DWP receives a final investigation report, which should remain confidential and only be shared with relevant managers and individuals. Personal data of third parties is protected by redacting it to prevent identification.

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