To ask the Minister for Communities whether the recommendations made in the Women’s Support Network report entitled Consortium for the Regional Support for Women in Disadvantaged and Rural Areas - The Impact of Universal Credit on Women, are being brought forward as part of the considerations for Welfare Reform Mitigations for 2021; and to list the stakeholder reports and documents being considered as part of her Department's considerations on welfare reform.

The New Decade, New Approach Deal includes a commitment to complete a review of the welfare mitigation measures. While the specific issues that will be considered as part of the review have not been finalised, I am committed to the principle of co-design and that due regard should be given to all appropriate evidence and to a full range of stakeholder input while taking into account the availability of funding.

On this basis it is likely that the Women’s Support Network report will be included for consideration in any review of future mitigation measures.

Other such reports that may be considered for evidence to inform the review into future mitigation measures would include:

Human Rights Commission report “Cumulative Impact Assessment of tax and social security reforms” and the NIHRC Annual Statement 2020

The UN Concluding Observations from their Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Cliff Edge Coalition report “Welfare Reform: Mitigations on a Cliff Edge”

Audit Office Personal Independence Payment Review

Advice NI Briefing Paper – Safeguarding Vulnerable Social Security Benefit Claimants

This is not an exhaustive list and further reports/documents may come into consideration. It should also be noted that any proposals for new mitigation measures will also need to take into consideration the availability of funding