Welfare rights news and case law

2 August, 2010

Government consultation on resident veto over excessive council tax increases

'Let the people decide' says Secretary of State for Local Government

2 August, 2010

Whether DWP negligence in the taking of decisions, and delay in implementing decisions, is actionable under common law duty of care

[2010] EWHC 1988 (QB)

30 July, 2010

Secretary of State sets out plans to ‘revolutionise’ the benefits system

Consultation launched on proposals to 'change forever how the system works'

29 July, 2010

Right to reside of dependant of UK national who had worked in another EEA State

CPC/1492/2009

29 July, 2010

Migration of incapacity benefits claimants onto employment and support allowance

New statutory instruments to address problem with commencement powers in relation to original regulations

29 July, 2010

Whether student is to be treated as occupying parent's home whilst in halls of residence / whether basis of referral to rent officer is appealable

CH/2197/2009

28 July, 2010

Recovery of benefit overpayments and social fund loans where claimant subject to debt relief order

New HB guidance following High Court judicial review decision

28 July, 2010

DWP call for evidence on work capability assessment

Responses to inform the view of independent reviewer

28 July, 2010

Government announces new Work Choice programme to help severely disabled claimants into work

New programme to sit alongside the Work Programme from October 2010

28 July, 2010

Pension, Disability and Carers Service increases payments to claimants by 7.1 per cent in 2009/2010

Annual Report also highlights reduction of £13 million in operating costs and 7per cent reduction in staffing levels

28 July, 2010

Youth unemployment and the Future Jobs Fund

Work and Pensions Select Committee announces inquiry

28 July, 2010

Housing costs / payment of money due to former husband under court order

CIS/99/2010

28 July, 2010

Impact of housing benefit changes announced in June 2010 budget

Work and Pensions Select Committee announces inquiry

27 July, 2010

Jobcentre Plus receives 4 million jobseeker’s allowance claims in 2009/2010

Annual Report highlights increase of 600,000 from previous year

27 July, 2010

76 per cent of claimants either fail work capability assessment or stop claim before assessment period completed

New DWP statistics are 'a clear indication of why reform is so urgently needed', says Minister for Employment

26 July, 2010

99 per cent of local housing allowance cases to be affected by forthcoming changes

DWP Equality Impact Assessment estimates average decrease in benefit of £12 per week

26 July, 2010

Crisis loan applications without need for a signature

DWP introduces new electronic process

23 July, 2010

Social fund funeral payment / proceeds of insurance policy to be taken into account

CIS/1839/2009

23 July, 2010

Whether claimant lost habitually resident status whilst volunteering for VSO

CPC/2696/2009