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17 July, 2014

Liberal Democrats announce that they no longer support bedroom tax in its current form

'Revised proposal' includes that existing tenants only have benefit reduced if they refuse offer of smaller home and that disabled adults exempted

17 July, 2014

Changes to local housing allowance have led to fall in average maximum entitlement of £6.84 per week

New DWP research into impact of reforms also finds 11 per cent of reduction due to less rent being charged, whilst 89 per cent due to decreased award relative to rent

17 July, 2014

Almost 4 in 10 Londoners affected by cuts to council tax support have received a court summons

New report by CPAG and Z2K also finds that collection rates are falling while collection costs are rising

16 July, 2014

Mark Harper replaces Mike Penning as Minister for Disabled People

In addition, Esther McVey to attend Cabinet in existing role as Minister for Employment

16 July, 2014

Less than 6,000 people on universal credit caseload at end of April 2014

New DWP statistics also show that over six in ten of the caseload are under 25

16 July, 2014

Changes to universal credit gateway conditions

New DWP guidance

16 July, 2014

Universal credit claimants will have to wait at least five weeks for benefit to be paid, says TUC

New report argues that delay in payment will drive claimants into hands of payday loan lenders and increase demand on food banks

15 July, 2014

59 per cent of tenants affected by bedroom tax fail to make up shortfall in rent

New DWP research on early effects of policy also highlights concern that people with disabilities are failing the DHP means test due to disability benefit income

15 July, 2014

Scottish Welfare Fund makes awards to more than 80,000 households in period from April 2013 to March 2014

New figures show that 53,400 community care grants and 113,000 crisis grants awarded with total value of £29m

15 July, 2014

Complaints to Local Government Ombudsman about benefits and council tax up by 26 per cent on previous year

New figures also show that those complaints had highest uphold rate of 49 per cent

15 July, 2014

Income support and jobseeker’s allowance child premiums to continue beyond 31 December 2014

New statutory instrument extends deadline for abolition of premiums which are being replaced by tax credits

14 July, 2014

Bringing forward the date from which pensionable age is a person’s 67th birthday

New DWP guidance

14 July, 2014

Council tax arrears rise fastest where support is cut most

Analysis of data collected by the New Policy Institute 'does not bode well' for the future of localised council tax support

14 July, 2014

Atos awarded £10 million a year contract to continue providing IT support for work capability assessments

New contract will run until at least 2016, with allowances for it to be extended until 2020, reports computerworlduk.com

14 July, 2014

Senior Conservative Ministers considering benefit changes to reduce 'huge' numbers who are incapable of work due to mental health problems

Trials, jointly designed by the Department of Health and the DWP, 'to be launched within weeks'

11 July, 2014

70 per cent of claimants 'more likely to follow the benefit rules because of sanctions' says Esther McVey

However, Minister declines a request to commit to an independent review about the fairness of sanctions

10 July, 2014

Number of ESA claimants sanctioned each month more than doubled between July and December 2013

New DWP statistics also highlight that, of those sanctioned, over 60 per cent had mental health problems

10 July, 2014

Lord Freud announces 11 new local support services partnerships to help claimants get ready for universal credit

Successful bidders will prepare claimants 'by offering tailored local support to budget, access housing support and promote digital inclusion'

10 July, 2014

Treasury approval of full universal credit business case expected shortly, says Iain Duncan Smith

In addition, commenting on 'apparent difference' between statements from Employment Minister and head of civil service, Lord Freud says that they are 'both right, because they are answering slightly different questions'