Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) how many, and (2) which types of, algorithms they use to decide access or eligibility for welfare payment or services.

Decisions on applications for welfare payments and services are made by the Department colleagues. The Department does not use algorithms to make decisions in this way. The Department does use business rules, some of which are automated and focus on everyday repetitive processing tasks so that colleagues can spend more time supporting vulnerable claimants.

All entitlement and calculation rules are an implementation of welfare policies, which are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation.