How we consult
In our major consultation exercises we list the main questions that we would like your views on. You are, of course, free to respond to any part of the consultation document. Each consultation document includes details of how to respond.
Consultation principles
We follow the Cabinet Office Consultation Principles. The key principles are:
- departments will follow a range of timescales rather than defaulting to a 12-week period, particularly where extensive engagement has occurred before;
- departments will need to give more thought to how they engage with and consult with those who are affected;
- consultation should be ‘digital by default’, but other forms should be used where these are needed to reach the groups affected by a policy; and
- the principles of the Compact between government and the voluntary and community sector will continue to be respected.
>> Cabinet Office Consultation Principles
How to respond
When responding, please state whether you are doing so as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. If you are responding on behalf of a larger organisation, please make it clear who the organisation represents and, where applicable, how the views of members were assembled. We will acknowledge your response.
The information you send us may need to be passed to colleagues within the Department for Work and Pensions and published in a summary of responses received, and referred to in the published consultation report.
Types of consultation
Before August 2012, we labelled certain DWP consultations as follows:
Informal consultation – an informal exercise seeking views on particular proposals or issues from members of the public and stakeholders
DWP-related consultation – a consultation not published by DWP but related to its interests. For example, a joint or cross-government consultation.
Before May 2011 other consultations also included:
Informal call for evidence – an informal exercise seeking the views of members of the public and stakeholders
Personal information
All information contained in your response, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure if requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
By providing personal information for the purpose of the public consultation exercise, it is understood that you consent to its disclosure and publication. If this is not the case, you should limit any personal information which is provided, or remove it completely.
If you want the information in your response to the consultation to be kept confidential, you should explain why as part of your response, although we cannot guarantee to do this. We cannot guarantee confidentiality of electronic responses even if your IT system claims it automatically.
What will we do after the consultation?
We publish responses to each consultation in a report that summarises the responses and describes which areas are identified as being the most important. We invite people who took part in the consultation to comment on this report when it is published.
Feedback on the consultation process
We value your feedback on how well we consult. If you have any comments on the process of this consultation (as opposed to the issues raised) please contact our Consultation Coordinator:
Elias Koufou
Department for Work and Pensions Consultation Coordinator
Second floor
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA
In particular, please tell us if you feel that the consultation does not satisfy the consultation criteria. Please also make any suggestions as to how the process of consultation could be improved further.
Social Security Advisory Committee consultations
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is an independent statutory body set up to advise the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on social security matters. SSAC is solely responsible for its own consultations.
- Social Security Advisory Committee consultations (SSAC website)
