Welfare rights news and case law

4 April, 2023

Department for Communities sets out further information on its plans for ‘Move to universal credit’ discovery phase in Northern Ireland

DfC confirms that around 500 tax credit claimants in Andersonstown and Enniskillen will be sent migration notices commencing mid-April 2023

3 April, 2023

Inquiry launched into effectiveness of the government’s cost of living support payments, and what can be done to improve the system’s fairness

Work and Pensions Committee raises concern that people may be falling through the gaps in the system and missing out on critical help

3 April, 2023

Changes to the definition of terminally ill for the purposes of PIP, DLA and AA in Great Britain

New DWP guidance

3 April, 2023

Commencement of Scotland’s devolved maternity, funeral and heating expenses payments provisions

New statutory instrument amends date that provisions come into force to 1 April 2024

31 March, 2023

Work and Pensions Committee launches inquiry to examine whether working-age benefit levels are adequate to meet need

Committee Chair says that inquiry will look at the fundamental principles governing the benefits system to find out if they are working as they should be

31 March, 2023

Government reforms have left legal aid ‘in tatters’, with advice deserts expanding across England and Wales

New Law Society analysis highlights that there has been a 21 per cent fall in the number of welfare benefit providers in the last year, and that more than 25m people don't have access to a local provider in housing

31 March, 2023

Information Commissioner issues DWP with practice recommendation in light of ‘consistently poor’ level of performance in handling FOI requests

Department given until 23 June 2023 to respond to concerns including that it is increasingly withholding information that would previously have been disclosed

31 March, 2023

Tribunal was entitled to decide that universal credit computer system was not ‘inoperative’ at beginning of Covid-19 pandemic and so did not prevent claimant from making a claim

NK v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (UC)
[2023] UKUT 65 (AAC)
UA-2021-000043-UOTH

31 March, 2023

Work and Pensions Committee welcomes ‘important victories’ in securing improvements to universal credit childcare support

Changes to maximum rates and the provision of upfront payments will liberate parents to take up work, says Committee Chair

30 March, 2023

Government confirms that state pension age will rise to 67 by the end of 2028 as planned, but decision on increasing it to 68 postponed until the next Parliament

Review's 'responsible and reasonable' approach underlines government's commitment to 'providing dignity and security in retirement', says Work and Pensions Secretary

30 March, 2023

Introduction of new definition of terminal illness for PIP, DLA and attendance allowance in Great Britain from 3 April 2023

New statutory instrument commences provisions in the Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Act 2022 that extend the life expectancy timeframe from six to 12 months

30 March, 2023

Over-eating can fall within the scope of PIP activity 2: ‘Taking nutrition’

SO v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (PIP)
[2023] UKUT 56 (AAC)
UA-2021-001660-PIP

30 March, 2023

Tribunal consulting with District Judge ‘to ensure correct decision was made’ was a breach of natural justice

GT v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (PIP)
[2023] UKUT 58 (AAC)
UA-2022-001411-PIP

30 March, 2023

Uprating of mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis lump sum payments from April 2023

New statutory instruments

30 March, 2023

Disregarding retrospective payments of bereavement benefits made to surviving cohabiting partners for purposes of council tax reduction in Scotland

New statutory instrument make changes in consequence of the Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023

29 March, 2023

Shirley-Anne Somerville appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice in Scotland

New Cabinet team announced following the confirmation of Humza Yousaf as new First Minister of Scotland

29 March, 2023

Work and Pensions Secretary confirms DWP will not appeal ICO’s order to publish research on effectiveness of benefit sanctions

However, Mel Stride tells Select Committee that report gives 'incomplete picture' and reasons and rationale for not releasing it were 'proper and acceptable'

29 March, 2023

Blind, self-employed claimant awarded £500 damages from Croydon Council due to the application of the minimum income floor in its council tax reduction scheme

Council concedes case having changed its policy prior to High Court hearing to address the discriminatory impact of its rules

29 March, 2023

DWP says that it has no plans to automate decision-making in universal credit sanctions regime

Minister confirms that planned automation of sanctions process will be limited to creation of sanctions referral forms for claimants who miss mandatory appointments