MPs to question Ministers about benefit statistics

MPs plan to question Ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions about its media handling of benefit statistics.

This follows Iain Duncan Smith's claims last month about the success of the benefit cap. The UK Statistics Authority concluded that these claims were "unsupported by official statistics", prompting criticism from commentators and a 97,000 strong petition.

The Authority examined two releases from the Department and concluded they had failed to comply with the Code. The Code applies to the way press officers release statistics, and not just the work done by government statisticians. 

In 2011 the Department told MPs that it ensures its statements are "accurate and appropriate" and "endeavours to provide journalists with the context in which statistics are used and, where possible, attempt to correct errors in any copy."

We expect more details about the hearing early in July.