Welfare rights news

23 November, 2007

Reform needed to ensure that seasonal and other temporary workers are not penalised by the social security system

New paper from the Social Security Advisory Committee

23 November, 2007

Treasury launches review into loss of child benefit data by the Revenue

Exercise to be led by Chairman and Senior Partner of Pricewaterhouse Coopers

23 November, 2007

Local authority powers to investigate and prosecute national benefit offences

New HB guidance

23 November, 2007

Help with NHS costs in England

New statutory instrument

23 November, 2007

Flow of information between the DWP and local authorities suspended

New HB guidance following loss of child benefit data by the Revenue

22 November, 2007

HB/CTB claims by those granted indefinite leave to enter/remain exceptionally outside the immigration rules

New DWP guidance

22 November, 2007

Reciprocal social security agreement between the UK and Ireland

New statutory rule

21 November, 2007

Housing costs met by IS, income-based JSA & pension credit in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

20 November, 2007

Revenue chairman resigns as millions of child benefit claimant records ‘lost’

Chancellor gives Commons statement on 'major operational problem'

20 November, 2007

DWP to roll out DLA/AA special rules review exercise

Pilot to be widened to include those who've been in receipt of benefit for three years

20 November, 2007

Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board should offer advice across all benefits

Compartmentalised policy thinking reinforces barriers to truly customer-focused services, says DWP

19 November, 2007

Tribunals Service and legal aid budgets to be cut by £230 million

Efficiency challenge facing Ministry of Justice is 'substantial'

19 November, 2007

New ‘Work Capability Assessment’ to be introduced with employment and support allowance

Fifty per cent of those who take the test will not pass it, says government

16 November, 2007

Requiring HB departments and the Department for Social Development to use, without further checking, information previously provided to the other

New statutory rule

16 November, 2007

DWP error results in £26 million DLA/AA overpayment

Steps have been taken to prevent duplicate payments occurring in the future, says Minister

15 November, 2007

Government urged to introduce £12 per week private pension income disregard for means-tested benefits

Would be fairer to pensioners and encourage people to save for retirement, says Help the Aged

15 November, 2007

Former Law Society Chief Executive appointed Chair of the new Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission

Government announcement

14 November, 2007

Housing costs met by IS, income-based JSA & pension credit

New statutory instrument

14 November, 2007

Health in Pregnancy Grant to be introduced in 2009

However, new payment dependent on receipt of health advice, says Minister