Welfare rights news and case law

12 December, 2017

Parliamentary Committee recommends creation of an independent Scottish Social Security Advisory Committee

Current Social Security Bill does not allow for adequate scrutiny of the detail, say MSPs

12 December, 2017

What findings of fact or explanations are required if 6 points are awarded under mobilising descriptor 1(d) to explain non-qualification for more points under descriptor 1(c) or 1(a)

CE/1492/2017

12 December, 2017

Tribunals must notify represented and unrepresented claimants if contemplating removal of previously awarded points

CPIP/1578/2017

11 December, 2017

Secretary of State sets out 'sensible and reasonable' approach to ensuring universal credit reports being provided to the Work and Pensions Committee remain confidential

However, Committee chair Frank Field says that it is for the Committee to decide what to do with documents it receives

11 December, 2017

Type of aid or appliance should be identified if there is a perceived need to use one / tribunals need to take a fresh look at facts unconstrained by the findings of the decision maker

CPIP/1469/2017

8 December, 2017

Arguments against a Universal Basic Income are ‘formidable’, says Work and Pensions Secretary

'We should be concerned at the prospect of legitimising the decision to simply opt out, creating whole communities of workless dependents'

8 December, 2017

Current PIP and ESA assessment processes ‘inherently discriminate against people with mental illnesses’

New research from Rethink Mental Illness calls for major reforms to better reflect the realities of living with a mental illness

8 December, 2017

DWP publishes first Universal Credit Local Authority Bulletin

Bulletins will be issued 'as and when' to provide local councils with updates on developments with Universal Credit and Universal Support

8 December, 2017

EU and UK reach ‘common understanding’ on post-Brexit citizens’ rights, including in relation to the application of social security coordination rules

New report also sets out agreed role for the European Court of Justice after the UK leaves the European Union

7 December, 2017

House of Lords debates ‘motion to regret’ introduction of two child rule in Northern Ireland

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State says that, while matters are best addressed by the Northern Ireland Executive if it is restored, he will be 'cognisant' of issues if it is not

7 December, 2017

Whether a room needs to be able to accommodate a separate bedside table and clothes storage to be classed as a bedroom

CUC/2385/2016

6 December, 2017

Government agrees to provide universal credit Project Assessment Reviews to the Work and Pensions Committee

However, Secretary of State says that information will be provided on an exceptional basis and expects that the documents will not be disclosed further

6 December, 2017

Around 3,500 people have joined Scotland’s devolved employment services in first six months

Participation rates for the two voluntary programmes stand at 65 per cent of referrals for Work First Scotland and 52 per cent for Work Able Scotland

5 December, 2017

Consultation launched on introducing a universal credit earnings threshold for free early years child care for two-year-olds

Department for Education suggests annual net earnings threshold should be £15,400

5 December, 2017

DWP pilots use of Real Time Information to help local authorities chase historic housing benefit debts

Initial small-scale pilot resulted in 62 per cent of cases being returned to local authorities with up-to-date earnings details

4 December, 2017

Almost 400,000 more children and 300,000 more pensioners are now living in poverty compared to 2012/2013

JRF reports that the single biggest policy driver behind rising poverty is the four-year freeze in working-age benefits and tax credits

4 December, 2017

PIP and ESA assessment providers have all failed to meet contractual quality standards for their reports since January 2014

New DWP statistics also show that at points in one provider’s contract almost 60 per cent of reports were audited as ‘unacceptable’

4 December, 2017

Adverse credibility findings based upon misunderstanding of facts can amount to an error of law / reciprocal appeal arrangements with Northern Ireland

CDLA/1568/2017

1 December, 2017

Work and Pensions Committee launches new phase of universal credit roll-out inquiry

Select Committee seeks evidence on a range of issues including self-employment and the Minimum Income Floor, eligibility for free school meals, and work incentives