Welfare rights news

23 November, 2005

Working Neighbourhoods Pilots

New DWP research

23 November, 2005

Jobcentre Plus to introduce enhanced National Insurance number application process

To be rolled out in stages from January to March 2006

23 November, 2005

Helping carers to remain in, or return to, work

New DWP research

23 November, 2005

Economic inactivity due to ill health is fast becoming the big issue of the 21st century

The survival of the welfare state depends on more people in work says Minister

23 November, 2005

CSA fails to meet five out of seven performance targets

Former welfare minister calls for some of the agency's functions to be abolished

22 November, 2005

Social fund maternity and funeral expenses payments (Northern Ireland)

New statutory rule

22 November, 2005

Severe hardship payment claims by young people aged 16 and 17

New DWP guidance on third party corroboration of 'estrangement'

22 November, 2005

Revenue negotiates settlement with tax credits computer firm

£71.25m represents a fair outcome for the taxpayer

22 November, 2005

Piloting the local housing allowance in the social rented sector

DWP expresses doubt about content of Housing Benefit Bill

22 November, 2005

DWP and other government support to be combined in ‘individual budgets’

New pilots will streamline assessment processes across agencies

22 November, 2005

Data sharing and travel bans amongst measures being considered by the CSA

Agency's chief executive to publish recovery plan shortly

22 November, 2005

Civil partnerships and benefits

New statutory instrument

22 November, 2005

Assessed income periods, and the treatment of financial assistance scheme payments

New pension credit regulations

21 November, 2005

Men should be given right to better-paid and longer periods of paternity leave

Citizens Advice urges government to rethink proposal to enable fathers to use only some of their partner's paid maternity leave

21 November, 2005

Key role of reconsideration in the decision-making and appeal process

New DWP guidance

21 November, 2005

A year of significant improvement and progress

Veterans Agency issues its annual report and accounts for 2004/2005

18 November, 2005

SERPS and civil partnerships (Northern Ireland)

New statutory rule

18 November, 2005

Pre-Budget Report to be delivered on 5 December

CPAG calls for government to make ending child poverty its centrepiece

18 November, 2005

More needs to be done to simplify the benefits system

Complexity one of the most important issues affecting DWP performance, says the National Audit Office