Welfare rights news and case law

6 September, 2023

While newly identified housing benefit overpayments had been decreasing following introduction of universal credit, they have shown a steady rise over the last two years

However, new DWP statistics highlight that redeployment of staff away from debt recovery to frontline activities and restricted face-to-face activity during the pandemic may have reduced identification in the preceding period

5 September, 2023

Government launches consultation on changes to WCA designed to reduce number of claimants in ‘limited capability for work-related activity’ group

Views sought on removing, amending or reducing points for four WCA activities and removing or amending 'substantial risk' provisions

5 September, 2023

Social Justice Secretary outlines steps Scottish Government will take over coming parliamentary year to tackle poverty and inequality

Commitments outlined in new Programme for Government include inflationary increase in Scottish child payment, funeral support payment and all disability and carers benefits, and support to enable at least 40,000 people to access free debt advice

5 September, 2023

DWP Minister outlines criteria to be used for the new severe disability group that will be subject to a simplified disability benefit assessment process

Criteria will be based on the impact of a disability or health condition and will include conditions that are lifelong, have a significant effect on day-to-day life and are unlikely to improve

5 September, 2023

More than a million households in receipt of universal credit have deductions of at least 20 per cent of the standard allowance

Figures provided by DWP Minister also show that more than 200,000 households had deductions of 25 per cent or above

5 September, 2023

Disregarding infected blood compensation payments made to a person other than the infected person in the calculation of universal credit

New DWP guidance

5 September, 2023

While social security policy appears to focus on avoiding destitution as a minimum, almost a third of people in poverty are in fact in deep poverty

To be effective at alleviating poverty, any strategy must be underpinned by a 'comprehensive, sustainable and fair social contract', says Poverty Strategy Commission

4 September, 2023

Liz Kendall appointed shadow Work and Pensions Secretary as Jonathan Ashworth moves to Cabinet Office

Labour Party reshuffle also sees new shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, while Angela Rayner takes over as shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

4 September, 2023

Meaning of ‘care’ and whether it must be required in order to establish entitlement to an additional bedroom for an overnight carer

SM v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (UHC)
[2023] UKUT 176 (AAC)
UA-2022-000261-UHC

1 September, 2023

Government set to unveil proposals for reducing number of claimants in ‘limited capability for work-related activity’ group

Reports that consultation is to be launched next week on plan to cut the 2.4 million claimants who receive sickness benefits without conditionality 'by hundreds of thousands'

31 August, 2023

DWP planning to outsource 2,500 jobs to deliver universal credit Targeted Case Review work

Highlighting that Department is experiencing a serious staffing crisis, PCS argues that better pay and terms and conditions would make the DWP a more attractive place to work

31 August, 2023

More than a quarter of tax credit claimants issued with a migration notice failed to claim universal credit

New analysis by CPAG highlights that, unless the DWP slows down its plans for migration, 140,000 households could have had their benefits terminated by the end of the financial year

31 August, 2023

Almost two-thirds of the latest iteration of the Household Support Fund in England was used to support families with children

New DWP research also reveals that while some local authorities allocated the fund proactively, others issued awards only in response to applications

31 August, 2023

Department for Communities in Northern Ireland publishes universal credit, benefit cap, ESA and PIP statistics for period to May 2023

Updated figures highlight there were more than 130,000 universal credit households on the caseload, an increase of almost 4,000 compared to three months earlier

30 August, 2023

HMRC confirms that almost 3,000 refugees meet the conditions for backdated tax credit payments following Court of Appeal ruling in DK

However, minutes of tax credits consultation forum advise that less than half of eligible claimants have responded to written invitation to provide their details in order to start the payments process

25 August, 2023

DWP updates its Personal Information Charter to ‘more accurately’ reflect its use of automated decision making

Changes include removal of assurance that claimants will be advised where decision involves the use of automation

24 August, 2023

Health and care organisations warn that universal credit is falling so far short of the cost of essentials that it is putting the health of millions at risk

Letter to Prime Minister supports the JRF and Trussell Trust's campaign for an Essentials Guarantee to increase benefits to ensure they cover basic essentials in the cost of living crisis

22 August, 2023

Almost a quarter of calls to Social Security Scotland are taking 30 minutes or more to be answered

New figures released by Scottish Government also show that longest call wait time in period since March 2023 was more than three hours

17 August, 2023

Disabled people face worsening discrimination and rising risk of poverty as a result of government failures in policy areas including welfare benefits and social care

EHRC finds little progress has been made in meeting recommendations from the United Nation’s 2016 report that identified continued violations of disabled people’s rights