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Roundup of recent DWP announcements
Living with COVID
This week the Prime Minister outlined the content of the Government’s publication Living with COVID.
The key messages include:
- Ending legal requirements for twice a week testing in schools from 21 February.
- Ending of legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test result from 24 February.
- Ending of legal requirement to test for 7 days after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive from 24 February.
- End of routine contact tracing on 24 February.
- Ending of free testing for the general public from 1 April.
- Ending of guidance for voluntary COVID-status certification for certain venues from 1 April.
There is an opportunity to hear more on what these changes mean for your communities at the Communities Webinar on Wednesday 2 March at 11am.
To attend please register and encourage other community leaders to attend.
A Stakeholder Communications Toolkit is also available to communicate the latest changes on your social media channels.
Update from the National Cyber Security Centre
Following Russia’s further violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the National Cyber Security Centre has called on organisations in the UK to bolster their online defences.
The NCSC – which is a part of GCHQ – has urged organisations to follow its guidance on steps to take when the cyber threat is heightened.
While the NCSC is not aware of any current specific threats to UK organisations in relation to events in and around Ukraine, there has been a historical pattern of cyber attacks on Ukraine with international consequences.
The guidance encourages organisations to follow actionable steps that reduce the risk of falling victim to an attack.
We would also encourage you to follow the NCSC’s social media channels: LinkedIn and Twitter for further alerts and updates.
If you have any questions, please contact enquiries@ncsc.gov.uk who will be happy to assist.
Improving telephony services within DWP
Conversational Platform (CP) is one of a suite of new strategic solutions being introduced by DWP to provide an improved modern telephony service in line with changing customer needs.
CP will transform the customer journey by providing an automated conversational experience, replacing existing Interactive Voice Response (i.e. press 1 for X, 2 for Y) with a voice led solution (‘What are you calling about today?’).
As customer experience is critical in supporting the development of CP, from the end of March 2022 data will be collected regarding the reason for the call. Customers should not be concerned if they hear a “human like” voice when they contact us.
Managed Print Services
A new contract for Managed Print Services with HH Global Associates Ltd (HHG) started on Monday 21 February.
The contract provides the supply of items to DWP’s external customers / partners, such as DWP claim forms, leaflets and other DWP printed products.
More information on ordering can be found on GOV.UK.
Loneliness – Every Mind Matters
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has recently launched the next wave of their loneliness activity, as part of the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign.
This campaign, aimed at reaching 18-24 year olds in England, encourages people to ‘Lift Someone Out of Loneliness’, by carrying out small acts of kindness to help others, such as someone who may be feeling lonely, knowing that this in turn is likely to help them feel less lonely too. This is based on recent research that shows that people in this demographic are at higher risk of feeling lonely compared to other age groups, but less likely to seek advice and support.
The campaign encourages people to visit the Every Mind Matters loneliness webpage, where they can find support and advice for ways that they can reach out to someone else, as well as finding support that may help them feel less lonely too.
A toolkit is available for partners to support this campaign which provides:
- campaign overview and key messaging
- audience
- suggested copy for social media and assets
- other information for partners to support
Please get in touch with campaigns@dcms.gov.uk if you would like more information.
Financial Wellbeing strategy launched
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) have published their 10-year Financial Wellbeing strategy for achieving the vision of ‘everyone making the most of their money and pensions’.
Working with hundreds of partners, the plans make recommendations on how organisations can play their part in delivering stronger financial wellbeing outcomes for their employees, both now and in the future. The plans also consider the impact of the COVID pandemic on people’s finances.
MaPS are holding a webinar on 30 March to give more details about the plan. It is open to everyone; you just need to register in advance.
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