Margaret Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, responding to a report in the Times that the DWP incorporated gagging clauses into contracts, said:

“This Government’s attempts to gag charities is utterly unacceptable and shows how far it is prepared to go in curbing free speech to hide the truth about Universal Credit.

“People all over the country will be shocked to learn that this Government is preventing charities from speaking out when they see the suffering caused by Universal Credit.

“Esther McVey must immediately announce that she will put an end to these undemocratic gagging clauses and make clear that they will not be enforced. You cannot contract-out of compassion or free speech.”