Has anyone had any experience dealing with Independent Case Examiner (ICE)?
If so, what is your experience? Good? Bad? Really independent?
I'm asking becuase I spoke the Ombudsman's Office today and they told me that they now insist on complaints about the DWP going through the ICE. I have to admit I don't remember hearing about the ICE until now and I've never referred a complaint there. But that got me thinking... If the Ombudsman insist on using the ICE as the last stage of complaining about the DWP, then surely the case examiner isn't all that independent (aside from the fact its another bureacratic hoop!). I've done a little bit of digging and apparently the post of ICE is advertised in the press, and officials from the DWP do the appointing...
This doesn't necessarily mean that they don't deal with things fairly and independently but, having fine reason for being totally cynical, the question needs asking.
What's your experience?
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