Welfare rights news and case law

11 February, 2016

Ensuring parity of legislation for social security, child support and pensions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

New statutory instrument

10 February, 2016

Lord Freud confirms that benefit cap reductions are to be introduced from autumn 2016

Government also says that changes to the level of the cap will not be referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee

10 February, 2016

Households in receipt of carer’s allowance or guardian’s allowance to be exempt from the benefit cap

Government announces that regulations to give effect to exemptions will be brought forward later this year

10 February, 2016

DWP publishes results of 2014/2015 ‘claimant service and experience’ survey

For the first time, analysis also presents views and experiences of claimants in receipt of universal credit and personal independence payment

9 February, 2016

Weekly increase in rent following installation of a stair lift is eligible for housing benefit

CH/1984/2010

8 February, 2016

More tax credit mandatory reconsideration requests were received in the last two months of 2015 than in whole of preceding year

Figures provided in response to written questions by Work and Pensions Committee chair about performance of Concentrix

8 February, 2016

Scottish Government request urgent clarification of scope of social sector housing benefit changes

Changes will have a 'catastrophic impact' on vulnerable groups, says Social Justice Secretary

8 February, 2016

DWP publishes new housing benefit performance measurement good practice guide

Guide is designed to 'continue to ensure the provision of timely and accurate housing benefit payments and information'

8 February, 2016

Bill, that proposed restricting entitlement to benefits for EU and EEA nationals, withdrawn

'Sad reality' that measures can't be introduced until the UK leaves the European Union, says sponsor of Private Member's Bill

5 February, 2016

ESA standing and sitting activity must be applied with regard to whether claimant could perform a job of work while remaining at a work station, but without reference to section 10 of the Equality Act (reasonable adjustments)

CE/2147/2014

5 February, 2016

Risk in ESA regulation 29(2)(b) must normally relate to work, and not, for example, claiming JSA

CE/1305/2014

5 February, 2016

Meaning of and distinction between ‘managing medication or monitoring a health condition’ and ‘managing therapy’ in activity 3

CPIP/1882/2015

4 February, 2016

Government should set a single rate for out-of-work benefits, says Reform think tank

New report recommends that savings from rate reduction should be reinvested into PIP and into support services

4 February, 2016

MSPs say 'unacceptable' that UK Ministers have failed to answer its questions on the welfare reform programme in Scotland

UK Minister for Employment says 'parliamentary commitments' have prevented her meeting the Committee and will continue to do so up to dissolution on 23 March

4 February, 2016

Prime Minister welcomes EU Council president's draft proposals for a 'new settlement' on social benefits and free movement

However, Mr Cameron acknowledges that 'none of this is agreed yet, none of the detail is fixed and there is more work to be done'

Welfare rights

Ensuring parity of legislation for social security, child support and pensions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

New statutory instrument

Lord Freud confirms that benefit cap reductions are to be introduced from autumn 2016

Households in receipt of carer’s allowance or guardian’s allowance to be exempt from the benefit cap

DWP publishes results of 2014/2015 ‘claimant service and experience’ survey

Weekly increase in rent following installation of a stair lift is eligible for housing benefit

More tax credit mandatory reconsideration requests were received in the last two months of 2015 than in whole of preceding year

Scottish Government request urgent clarification of scope of social sector housing benefit changes

Changes will have a 'catastrophic impact' on vulnerable groups, says Social Justice Secretary

DWP publishes new housing benefit performance measurement good practice guide

Bill, that proposed restricting entitlement to benefits for EU and EEA nationals, withdrawn

ESA standing and sitting activity must be applied with regard to whether claimant could perform a job of work while remaining at a work station, but without reference to section 10 of the Equality Act (reasonable adjustments)

Risk in ESA regulation 29(2)(b) must normally relate to work, and not, for example, claiming JSA

Meaning of and distinction between ‘managing medication or monitoring a health condition’ and ‘managing therapy’ in activity 3

Government should set a single rate for out-of-work benefits, says Reform think tank

MSPs say 'unacceptable' that UK Ministers have failed to answer its questions on the welfare reform programme in Scotland

2016/2017 government funding for local authorities in respect of discretionary housing payments

Welsh Government calls on UK Government to exempt tenants in supported housing from planned housing benefit cuts

21,000 households had their benefit capped in November 2015

Amendments to council tax reduction schemes in Scotland

Prime Minister welcomes EU Council president's draft proposals for a 'new settlement' on social benefits and free movement