To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the review of welfare mitigation measures.

The New Decade, New Approach Deal committed to a review of future welfare mitigation measures to be taken forward.

My Department is currently finalising proposals for the review and it is hoped that a formal announcement on how it will be taken forward will be made in due course. Details of the review will be shared with the Committee at the earliest opportunity and members will be afforded the chance to present their views on the proposal.

The Department is not yet in a position to provide details of the specific issues that will be covered in the review, however, the over-arching purpose will be to identify the need to develop a prioritised mitigation package which will be costed and assessed for affordability.

I am committed to the principles of co-design in the development of any new mitigation measures. It is therefore planned to include representatives of the independent Advice Sector and other groups with an interest in social security at all stages of the review.