Welfare rights news and case law

27 October, 2021

Government confirms that DWP will be provided with funding of £671 million to support rollout of universal credit by March 2025

Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 also confirms £2.6 billion funding for Department for digital activity to 'transform how customers interact with the welfare system'

27 October, 2021

Baroness Stroud withdraws Lords amendment, which proposed a vote in both Houses on reinstating the £20 universal credit uplift, following advice that it was inadmissible

However, during ensuing debate, Chair of Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee warns of government's misuse of secondary legislation in a bid to make a 'grab for power at the expense of Parliament'

27 October, 2021

More than two million universal credit awards had a deduction for an advance or government debt in May 2021

New DWP figures also show that almost £140 million was deducted during the month, with claimants paying an average of 15 per cent of their standard allowance

27 October, 2021

Payment of Christmas bonus to eligible people in Switzerland following the UK’s exit from the EU

New regulations issued in Northern Ireland

25 October, 2021 Open access

Peers to debate amendment to Social Security (Up-rating of Benefits) Bill requiring vote in both Houses on whether it is ‘desirable’ to reinstate £20 universal credit uplift

Proposed additional clause will be considered at the Committee stage of Bill's passage through the House of Lords

25 October, 2021

Action to ‘challenge myths and stigma around claiming benefits’ included in Social Security Scotland’s new take-up strategy

Part of building a better and fairer society is ensuring people are aware of, and can access, the financial support to which they are entitled, says Social Justice Secretary

22 October, 2021

DWP confirms that administrative exercise to correct state pension payments identified more than £60 million in underpayments by 30 September 2021

Progress report on exercise that is due to be completed by the end of 2023 also confirms that, of the 38,507 cases reviewed, 9,491 were found to have been underpaid

22 October, 2021

Almost one million universal credit or housing benefit claimants had rent liabilities that exceeded their local housing allowance in May 2021

Written answer to parliament also confirms that median gap between rent and local housing allowance was £100 per month

22 October, 2021

We can’t build a mobile society without a more equal society, but Britain today is far from equal, say outgoing Social Mobility Commissioners

With the ending of furlough, benefit changes and a cost of living crisis, swift action is needed to help rebuild people's lives

22 October, 2021 Open access

Extension of period over which Covid-19-related easements to employment and support allowance rules remain in force

New regulations

22 October, 2021

DWP confirms that number of new temporary jobcentres has risen to 177

However, Minister says that 'as the economy recovers' sites will be closed to ensure a balance between providing essential services with value for money for the taxpayer

21 October, 2021

Independent Case Examiner reports ‘steady stream’ of cases where misdirection from DWP staff led to people making inappropriate claims for universal credit

Having first raised the issue last year, annual report for 2020/2021 highlights 'confusion or ignorance' on the part of staff in a number of cases examined

20 October, 2021

Crucially important that judicial review is not ‘used as a political tool by those who have already lost the arguments’, says Attorney General

Speech to Public Law Project Conference approves 'more traditional approach to judicial review' taken by Supreme Court in recent two-child limit judgment

20 October, 2021

Welsh Government confirms universal basic income pilot will be introduced in 2022/2023

While the pilot will be limited to specific groups of young people, First Minister says lessons learned will help to show how the concept could apply more widely across the Welsh population

20 October, 2021

Consultation launched on draft national plan to end the need for food banks in Scotland

Scottish Government says its plan is underpinned by human rights approach that prioritises action to prevent poverty and promotes cash-first responses

20 October, 2021

Scottish Government confirms that process of transferring DLA for children awards to Scottish child disability payment began on 11 October 2021

Writing to Social Justice and Social Security Committee, Minister says transfer is a 'safe and secure' process and requires no action on behalf of the individual wherever possible

19 October, 2021

Cross-party coalition of MPs calls on government to make immediate changes to the scope of legal aid to increase access to justice

Westminster Commission's recommendations include restoring legal aid for early legal advice to pre-LASPO levels for all areas of social welfare law

19 October, 2021

Meaning of ‘out of’ and ‘in the course of’ employment for the purposes of assessing whether an accident is an industrial accident

NE v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (II)
[2021] UKUT 240 (AAC)
CI/68/2021

19 October, 2021

Payment of Christmas bonus to eligible people in Switzerland following the UK’s exit from the EU

New statutory instrument