Welfare rights news and case law

26 November, 2021

Government publishes proposed benefit and state pension rates for 2022/2023

Publication follows statement on uprating from Work and Pensions Secretary that rates will increase by 3.1 per cent from April 2022

26 November, 2021

DWP outlines plan to test a new ‘Get your PIP’ online claims service from January 2022

Presentation to stakeholders advises that new claims process will be ‘simple, responsive service and make timely, accurate and understandable decisions’

26 November, 2021

DWP confirms that it has updated its data lists to ensure that claimants with valid immigration status are no longer receiving letters asking them to apply to EUSS

Minister also tells parliament that 'no action will be taken to suspend or terminate the benefits of people with a valid immigration status'

26 November, 2021

Lords Select Committee recommends extension of universal credit full-time education rules ‘to avoid disincentivising take up of reskilling and upskilling opportunities among young people’

Recommendation is one of more than seventy that cover policy areas of education, skills and employment and support the Committee's call for 'urgent action' to tackle and prevent youth unemployment

25 November, 2021

Work and Pensions Committee launches inquiry into universal credit and childcare costs

Inquiry to consider whether requirement to pay childcare costs upfront and cap on amount paid create barriers to parents moving into work or working more hours

25 November, 2021

Work and Pensions Secretary confirms that benefits and state pension will increase by 3.1 per cent from April 2022

Statement on annual uprating review also confirms that local housing allowance rates for 2022/2023 are to be maintained at their ‘elevated’ 2020/2021 levels

25 November, 2021

Treasury Secretary confirms annual uprating of tax credits, child benefit and guardian’s allowance from April 2022

Majority of tax credit elements and thresholds, together with child benefit and guardian's allowance, will be increased by 3.1 per cent

25 November, 2021

Work and Health Programme has supported around a third of participants to start earning from employment since its launch in November 2017

New DWP statistics also show that less than a fifth have achieved a longer term ‘job outcome’

25 November, 2021

More than three million families face financial hardship as cost of living crisis bites this winter

Citizens Advice also warns that 'millions more' will struggle without substantial further investment in benefits, recommending as a first step that government brings forward annual benefit increases to December 2021

24 November, 2021

DWP provides update on support for people who have come to UK from Afghanistan

Minister confirms that work coaches have been supporting those in bridging hotels, and that there are more than 2,900 universal credit claims currently on the caseload

24 November, 2021

DWP confirms that it has no plans to introduce equivalent to disregard of Adviser Discretion Fund payments for upfront childcare costs that applies in Northern Ireland

Minister highlights availability of free pre-school childcare in England as compared to 'less generous' offer in Northern Ireland

24 November, 2021

Reintroduction of the minimum income floor and reapplying conditionality expected to reduce fraud and error in universal credit by up to 2.5 per cent

DWP Director General also tells Select Committee that 'more rigorous checking' is needed of self-employed claims, or people could be required to report income to HMRC quarterly rather than annually

24 November, 2021

Consequential amendments to social security legislation following the introduction of child disability payment in Scotland

New statutory instrument

24 November, 2021

Reduction in universal credit taper rate and increase in work allowances in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule introduces changes announced in Autumn Budget

24 November, 2021

Further limitation of exception to the universal credit basic condition ‘not to be receiving education’ for those in receipt of a disability benefit in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

22 November, 2021

Government’s unambitious response to Work and Pension Committee report 'fails to instil any confidence' that it is serious about breaking down barriers that people with disabilities face in the labour market

Committee chair highlights government's failure to acknowledge 'ineffective, over-centralised, Work and Health Programme model' and its lack of commitment to adopt previous targets to cut the disability employment gap

22 November, 2021

HMCTS confirms introduction of an enhanced evidence upload feature as part of its online ‘Manage Your Appeal’ service

New functionality enables all parties to an appeal to upload audio and video evidence once signed up to the service

19 November, 2021

DWP to offer contracts worth almost £2 billion for delivery of new ‘Functional Assessment Services’

New services from August 2023 will incorporate integration of personal independence payment and work capability assessments

19 November, 2021

UK and Scottish Governments commit to continuing to work closely on design and implementation of welfare payments for people in Scotland

However, while welcoming commitment on joint working, Scottish Affairs Committee remains disappointed with 'level of inaction' on data sharing for Scottish child payment