IDS 'vetoes publication' of universal credit assessment

Iain Duncan Smith's universal credit scheme has been given a unique classification in an annual progress report issued by the Government.

Although many of the projects are listed as being "exempt" from publishing a green, red or amber risk (most citing the Freedom of Information Act as the reason), the universal credit scheme is the only one to be listed as "Reset".

The lack of transparency was highlighted by The Independent, which claimed the Major Project Authority had rated universal credit as “red”, signifying that it is “unachievable within reasonable timescales and to a reasonable budget without urgent remedial action”.

Iain Duncan Smith has successfully prevented the publication of a "damning" report into his universal credit scheme, according to The Independent.

As part of its drive to increase transparency, the Government published the progress of around 200 projects today, rating each on a risk scale of green, red or amber.

But today's Independent front page claims universal credit was "the only project not to get a rating".

The progress report represented £400bn of public spending.