Welfare rights news and case law

25 February, 2022

Consequential amendments to social security legislation in relation to introduction of adult disability payment in Scotland from 21 March 2022

New statutory instrument ensures that reserved income-related benefits will take account of the new benefit in the same way as personal independence payment

24 February, 2022

Not-for-profit specialist advice sector facing £17.5 million funding deficit in 2022/2023

New Access to Justice Foundation research finds that funding deficit will result in almost 37,000 vulnerable people losing access to specialist advice

24 February, 2022 Open access

Closure of the Covid-19-related statutory sick pay rebate scheme for employers from 17 March 2022

New statutory instrument

24 February, 2022

Failure to uprate benefits in line with inflation could pull 400,000 more people into poverty

Social security system should 'protect people from harm, not put them in danger', says JRF as it calls on the government to uprate benefits by 7 per cent this April

24 February, 2022

Since the Work and Health Programme’s launch in November 2017, less than a quarter of participants have achieved a job outcome within 24 months

However, new DWP statistics highlight that this represents an improvement, with performance exceeding expectations over the most recent three months

24 February, 2022

Department for Communities publishes universal credit, PIP and benefit cap statistics for period to November 2021

New figures include that almost 85 per cent of those whose benefit was capped had reduction mitigated by a welfare supplementary payment

23 February, 2022 Open access

Scottish Government confirms that self-isolation support grants will remain available while advice to self-isolate continues beyond 21 March 2022

Government also says that it will continue to consider where targeted support is required as isolation advice evolves

22 February, 2022

DWP confirms trial of ‘new tech to match jobs to people’ as part of its Way to Work campaign

Automated matchmaking service to be tested at 20 jobcentres across England and Scotland from March 2022 in areas that have the highest ratio of vacancies to unemployed jobseekers

22 February, 2022 Open access

Covid-19 self-isolation support payments will no longer be available with effect from 24 February 2022

In addition, Prime Minister announces that Covid provisions for statutory sick pay and ESA will cease from 24 March 2022

22 February, 2022

Government must tackle design features in the social security system which create debt and ‘set people up to fail’

New report from the Trussell Trust highlights how government debt can cause destitution and trap people in impossible situations

22 February, 2022

Extension of Restart Scheme to include income-based JSA claimants

New statutory instrument allows Restart Scheme providers to require JSA claimants in England and Wales to undertake work search and work preparation activities

21 February, 2022

DWP confirms further extension of its Train and Progress initiative that allows universal credit claimants to take part in full-time training

Launched in April 2021, additional training flexibility element will now run until April 2023

21 February, 2022

Lords Committee raises concerns about whether Judicial Review and Courts Bill ‘achieves the right balance between efficiency and access to justice’

Peers repeat warning from Joint Human Rights Committee that plans to curtail 'Cart' judicial review of Upper Tribunal decisions that refuse leave to appeal may go too far

18 February, 2022 Open access

High Court dismisses judicial review challenge to decision not to extend Covid-19-related universal credit uplift to legacy benefits

T & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Work And Pensions [2022] EWHC 351 (Admin)

18 February, 2022

Exception from the requirement to accept a claimant commitment in universal credit and ESA for those with a terminal illness

New DWP guidance

17 February, 2022

Pilot scheme testing universal credit in-work conditionality extended for 12 months to February 2023

New statutory instrument

17 February, 2022

Requirement to consider ‘real world’ market when valuing a jointly owned property occupied by someone who is unwilling to sell

PF v Department for Communities (ESA)
[2022] NICom 5
C7/21-22(JSA)

16 February, 2022

Welsh Government to launch pilot of basic income for care leavers in 2022/2023

Participating care leavers to receive payment of £1,600 per month for 24 months from 18th birthday

16 February, 2022

Tribunals should consider Practice Direction relating to vulnerable adults when assessing whether it is reasonable for a claimant with mental health problems to participate in a telephone hearing

AS v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (PIP)
[2022] UKUT 24 (AAC)
CPIP/729/2021