To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her Department's policy is on keeping records for applications for benefits and making them available to those seeking to challenge claims by the Department for overpayments.

DWP’s retention policy is detailed within the DWP Information Management Policy and details on how a customer can access their records are detailed within the DWP Personal Information Charter. Both of these documents are publicly available on the GOV.UK website and can be found in the following links;

DWP information management policy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Personal information charter - Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)