Welfare rights news

15 November, 2023

Discretionary support in Northern Ireland is ‘at a crossroads’ as budget reductions start to bite

Commissioner says that recent progress in raising awareness about the scheme and emphasising grant awards over loans is unlikely to be maintained

14 November, 2023

Almost one in seven people sent a universal credit migration notice did not make a claim and had their legacy benefit award terminated

New DWP statistics for period from July 2022 to August 2023 also show that almost half of those who were sent a migration notice have yet to make a universal credit claim

14 November, 2023

Tax credit claimants who were sent a universal credit migration notice between November 2022 and March 2023 but did not make a claim lost an average of £300 per month

With the DWP not having carried out any research as to why the individuals did not claim universal credit, CPAG questions whether the Department has 'reached the edge' of its test and learn approach

14 November, 2023

Universal credit sanction rate increased to almost 6.5 per cent in August 2023

However, new DWP statistics also show that the same month had the lowest percentage of claimants in conditionality regimes where sanctions could be applied

14 November, 2023

Number of people on universal credit rose to 6.2 million in October 2023

New DWP statistics also show that number of claimants in the ‘no work requirements’ conditionality regime has now risen to 2.2 million

14 November, 2023

Changes to the ministerial team at the DWP following yesterday’s Cabinet reshuffle

Employment Minister Guy Opperman and Pensions Minister Laura Trott leave the Department, replaced by Jo Churchill and Paul Maynard

14 November, 2023

DWP says it is reviewing its staff guidance on acceptable evidence of refugee status for those who have not yet received a Biometric Residence Permit

Minister also confirms that refugees do not have to have received permit before making a claim for universal credit

14 November, 2023

Cost of living payments offer only a short-term reprieve for many and are insufficient to meet the scale of the problem

While acknowledging that the payments are important and distributed quickly, Select Committee highlights that the 'unsophisticated nature' of the system places significant limitations on its ability to meet the needs of different groups

14 November, 2023

Scottish Parliamentary Committee launches consultation on Bill designed to improve the experience of people using services provided by Social Security Scotland

Views sought on proposals that include the creation of new social security benefits for children and care-experienced people, and new rights in relation to decision making

13 November, 2023

Scottish Housing Minister and COSLA call on UK government to end LHA freeze

Failure to increase LHA in line with rent increases is hindering the efforts of the Scottish Government and local authorities in their core missions to tackle poverty and prevent homelessness

9 November, 2023

Work and Pensions Committee launches inquiry to examine effectiveness of statutory sick pay

Responses will inform consideration of how benefit might be reformed to better support the recovery and return to work of people who claim it

9 November, 2023

DWP Permanent Secretary confirms that powers used to distribute Household Support Fund cannot be used to support those with NRPF

Where a person with NRPF is not eligible to access the Fund, Mr Schofield suggests that 'they may decide that their best option will be returning to their home country'

9 November, 2023

DWP confirms that the ‘Verify’ system introduced to carer’s allowance in 2018 to automate identification of overpayments has saved the Department more than £130 million to date

However, correspondence with the Work and Pensions Committee also highlights that 40,000 cases identified as at risk of overpayment remain outstanding as at October 2023

9 November, 2023

Enabling awards of universal credit and maternity allowance to be notified through online Tell Us Once service when someone dies

Work and Pensions Secretary issues new electronic communications directions

9 November, 2023

DWP confirms closure of a further 25 temporary jobcentres in fifth phase of decommissioning programme

Minister provides update on further reduction in jobcentre estate bringing it towards target of reducing provision to pre-pandemic levels

8 November, 2023

Information Commissioner’s Office orders the DWP to disclose the costings and equality impact assessments relating to the decision to remove the work capability assessment

Department required to publish information within 35 days or face possible action in the High Court

7 November, 2023

All Scottish benefits should be increased by September CPI of 6.7 per cent, or Social Justice and Social Security Committee says it will require ‘detailed justification’ as to why they are not

As part of its pre-budget scrutiny, Committee also asks Scottish Government to set out exactly how it will prioritise funding to mitigate the cost of living crisis

6 November, 2023

DWP provides progress update on the development of its integrated Health Assessment Service

Department tells stakeholders that the new Functional Assessment Service commencing in September 2024, will be the foundation for the HAS going forward

6 November, 2023

Poverty levels in the UK are ‘simply not acceptable’ and the government is violating international law, warns UN poverty envoy

Media reports also suggest that UN special rapporteur considers that increasing universal credit would be the 'single most important step' to help reduce poverty

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