× Search rightsnet
Search options

Where

Benefit

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction

From

to

Welfare rights

24 June, 2020

After benefits and taxes, disposable income of the richest fifth of people in the UK still more than five times larger than the income of the poorest fifth

ONS releases new figures on the effects of taxes and benefits on UK household income for the financial year ending 2019

24 June, 2020

Almost 80 per cent of council tax reduction recipients in Scotland received a full reduction in March 2020

Scottish Government annual statistics also show that just over half of recipients were on passporting benefits

23 June, 2020 Open access

Government says that people who are shielding as a result of COVID-19 will not be entitled to SSP on that basis from 1 August 2020

New advisory guidance says that shielding programme will be 'paused' on 31 July, and that people who are shielding can return to work where business is ‘COVID-safe'

23 June, 2020

Prime Minister made unsubstantiated claims to Commons about level of child poverty, says Children’s Commissioner

Rebuttals to question from Leader of Opposition at Prime Minister's Questions are 'not borne out by the government's own figures'

23 June, 2020 Open access

Number of new universal credit claims during week to 16 June 2020 still almost 20 per cent higher than during first week of March

New DWP statistics also highlight that more than one million advance payments have been awarded on new claims since the start of lockdown

23 June, 2020 Open access

UK Statistics Authority urges Home Office to provide data on number of people who have been given leave to remain in UK subject to ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition

Chair of UK Statistics Authority agrees with Work and Pensions Committee Chair that Home Office reasons for refusing to provide data are 'confusing and unclear'

23 June, 2020

Miscellaneous amendments to universal credit provisions in Northern Ireland in relation to childcare, the benefit cap, and verification of housing costs

New statutory rule

23 June, 2020

Universal credit needs reform to fit ‘modern relationships and how families live their lives today’

New research from Universities of Bath and Oxford calls on government to ensure that both partners receive some income, and remedy inconsistencies in payments where wages paid at different times

23 June, 2020

DWP issues further guidance on effect of Supreme Court judgment in RR v SSWP

New edition of LA Welfare Direct lite confirms that arrears of housing benefit awarded as a result of judgment cannot be offset against any DHPs that have been paid

22 June, 2020 Open access

Social security system has at times been ‘too inflexible and slow to adapt’ to COVID-19, say MPs

Select Committee highlights that, while focus has been on the unprecedented numbers of new universal credit claims, other issues have slipped down the list of priorities

22 June, 2020 Open access

Work and Pensions Secretary authorises spending to ensure that the DWP responds effectively to COVID-19, irrespective of the formalities of Departmental expenditure limits

Response to request from DWP Permanent Secretary recognises the 'extraordinary circumstances the country is facing'

22 June, 2020

Experience of claiming universal credit worsens or triggers health conditions for many claimants, finds National Housing Federation

However, survey highlights that responsive and helpful support services from both landlords and the DWP increases customer satisfaction

22 June, 2020

Calculation of the earnings threshold for the purpose of the benefit cap grace period in universal credit

New statutory instrument also provides for use of the Landlord Portal where a change of circumstances has occurred

19 June, 2020

DWP confirms it has undercounted universal credit full service sanction decisions for more than three years up to January 2020

Undercount is revealed after introduction of ‘improved methodology’ that added more than 100,000 decisions to previously reported figures

19 June, 2020 Open access

DWP issues guidance on how payments under CJRS and SEISS are treated for purposes of universal credit

New ADM Memo sets out treatment of payments in the assessment of income and capital

19 June, 2020 Open access

DWP issues guidance on how payments under CJRS and SEISS are treated for purposes of benefits other than universal credit

New DMG Memo sets out treatment of payments in the assessment of income and capital and advises on benefits that cannot be claimed by recipients

19 June, 2020 Open access

Treasury Committee Chair suggests temporary suspension of wages element of pensions triple lock to prevent future ‘double digit’ increase

Chair advises that Chancellor will need to address the lock by 'carefully balancing the importance of protecting older people’s income against the impact on public finances’

19 June, 2020

Miscellaneous amendments to social security claims and payments provisions

New statutory instrument includes introduction of electronic claims for maternity allowance, sure start maternity grants and funeral expenses payments