Welfare rights news and case law

21 July, 2016

Government rejects recommendation to publish regular sanctions statistics during in-work conditionality trial

However, Work and Pensions Committee says that, if financial sanctions are being used appropriately, it sees no reason why the DWP should not publish details now

21 July, 2016

Mandatory reconsideration process should be standardised across DWP and HMRC with clear communications on the processes and time limits that apply

New report from the SSAC also recommends that work coaches make wider use of JSA sickness provisions for those challenging fit for work decisions

21 July, 2016

Work and Pensions Committee launches inquiry into employment opportunities for young people

Inquiry will consider whether current provision, including support offered via Jobcentre Plus, is sufficient to enable full access to and participation in the labour market

21 July, 2016

Problems with DWP and HMRC telephony ‘still appear to abound’, says SSAC

New report also calls for DWP and HMRC to use 0800 enquiry line numbers for vulnerable or low income customers

21 July, 2016

Requirement to consider the ‘reliability’ criteria when assessing mobility descriptors / whether a satnav can be an ‘orientation aid’ when following a route

CPIP/239/2016

21 July, 2016

Introduction of universal credit in Northern Ireland delayed until autumn 2017

However, completion of roll-out still expected by 2018 according to Department for Communities

21 July, 2016

Opposition day motion to scrap housing benefit cap for supported accommodation defeated in the Commons

However, Work and Pensions Secretary says that he will make an announcement on a review of supported accommodation funding 'early in the autumn'

20 July, 2016

Roll-out of universal credit to be further delayed, Work and Pensions Secretary announces

Migration of existing claims will not now be complete until March 2022

20 July, 2016

Income from benefits and low paid work fail to give famillies enough to cover childcare and essential costs

New research published by the JRF also finds lone parents are particularly affected by cuts to in-work support in universal credit

20 July, 2016

Scotland to introduce new Child Poverty Bill

UK Government's decision to repeal large parts of the Child Poverty Act 2010 is 'fundamentally wrong', says First Minister

20 July, 2016

Reduction of allowable period of temporary absence from Great Britain for housing benefit and pension credit

New DWP guidance

20 July, 2016

Two fifths of people claiming universal credit are in employment

New DWP statistics also show that the total number of people currently claiming the benefit has reached almost 280,000

19 July, 2016

Middle-income households with children now get 30 per cent of income from benefits and tax credits

New report from the IFS also finds that pensioners are now the least likely major demographic group to be in income poverty

19 July, 2016

36,470 people assisted by Access to Work programme between April 2015 and March 2016

New DWP statistics also show that 10,810 of those on the programme in 2015/2016 had either sight or hearing difficulties

19 July, 2016

Child can establish genuine and sufficient link to UK social security system through his sister who also acts as his carer

CDLA/2186/2015

18 July, 2016

Welfare rights

Government rejects recommendation to publish regular sanctions statistics during in-work conditionality trial

However, Work and Pensions Committee says that, if financial sanctions are being used appropriately, it sees no reason why the DWP should not publish details now

Mandatory reconsideration process should be standardised across DWP and HMRC with clear communications on the processes and time limits that apply

Work and Pensions Committee launches inquiry into employment opportunities for young people

Problems with DWP and HMRC telephony ‘still appear to abound’, says SSAC

Requirement to consider the ‘reliability’ criteria when assessing mobility descriptors / whether a satnav can be an ‘orientation aid’ when following a route

Introduction of universal credit in Northern Ireland delayed until autumn 2017

Opposition day motion to scrap housing benefit cap for supported accommodation defeated in the Commons

However, Work and Pensions Secretary says that he will make an announcement on a review of supported accommodation funding 'early in the autumn'

Roll-out of universal credit to be further delayed, Work and Pensions Secretary announces

Income from benefits and low paid work fail to give famillies enough to cover childcare and essential costs

Scotland to introduce new Child Poverty Bill

Reduction of allowable period of temporary absence from Great Britain for housing benefit and pension credit

Two fifths of people claiming universal credit are in employment

Middle-income households with children now get 30 per cent of income from benefits and tax credits

36,470 people assisted by Access to Work programme between April 2015 and March 2016

Child can establish genuine and sufficient link to UK social security system through his sister who also acts as his carer

New ministerial appointments at the Department for Work and Pensions

Inadequate Secretary of State submission does not prevent a tribunal deciding an 'actively seeking employment' appeal

First Commencement Order issued in relation to the Scotland Act 2016

Scotland Act 2016 (Saving) Regulations 2016