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<p>Department for Work and Pensions officials liaised extensively with the Special
Rapporteur’s office over the arrangements for his visit to the UK last November. From
the outset, his staff were clear that Professor Alston’s priority was to secure meetings
with UK Government Ministers.</p><p> </p><p>DWP proposed meetings and round tables
with senior officials across the relevant departments so that topics, including health,
housing and welfare benefits, could be explored in more detail. The scope and time
available for these meetings was significantly curtailed as the Special Rapporteur’s
office asked that meetings with parliamentary committees and other public bodies,
for example the National Audit Office, be prioritised over meetings with UK Government
officials.</p>
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