Welfare rights news
Page 2 of 291
19 January
Iain Duncan Smith rejects Macmillan claim that 7,000 cancer patients will be affected by time limiting of ESA
People expected to 'dip into' savings after a year on benefit, says Secretary of State
19 January, 2012
Local authorities and housing associations to test direct payments of housing cost support to claimants
Demonstration projects to see how claimants in social rented sector manage monthly housing benefits and how to protect landlord income
19 January, 2012
18 January
DWP implements Harrington recommendation that claimants who fail WCA should be sent decision maker's reasons for disallowance
However, recommendation that claimants be sent Atos personalised summary statement will not be implemented
18 January, 2012
Government wins vote in Lords against trial period for personal independence payment
However, Lord Freud announces significant concessions on implementation of new benefit, including two biennial independent reviews
18 January, 2012
Exemption from jobseeking requirements for victims of domestic violence
New commencement order in relation to the Welfare Reform Act 2009
18 January, 2012
17 January
DLA reform being ‘rushed through to meet Treasury targets’, says Lord Low
Peers table new amendment to Welfare Reform Bill seeking trial period before PIP assessments start
17 January, 2012
Local authorities could make savings 'in other ways' to lessen reduction in council tax support for working age claimants, says DCLG
Response to Communities and Local Government Committee's report on localisation issues in welfare reform
17 January, 2012
Triggers for claiming pension credit
New DWP research report
17 January, 2012
16 January
Deputy Prime Minister proposes changes to benefit cap to lessen effect on children
Nick Clegg adds voice to Liberal Democrat disquiet ahead of next week's House of Lords debate
16 January, 2012
Government launches consultation on PIP entitlement thresholds
DWP says that, using proposed thresholds and second draft of assessment criteria, likely impact of PIP will be to reduce claimant count by 500,000
16 January, 2012
Government backs amendment to Welfare Reform Bill reducing PIP waiting period from six to three months
However, further amendment will increase forward qualifying period from six to nine months
16 January, 2012
13 January
Scottish Parliament to bring forward amendments to third reading of Welfare Reform Bill following vote against 'consent motion'
Written statement to parliament by Minister for Employment
13 January, 2012
Social security and child support appeal receipts between July and September 2011 down by 20 per cent on previous year
HM Courts & Tribunals Service statistics also show 20 per cent increase in appeal disposals
13 January, 2012
DWP awarded second advance from government contingencies fund of £3.737m for introduction of changes to ESA
In addition, Department receives £1m for development of IT relating to new fraud and sanctions regime
13 January, 2012
Government may modify child benefit reforms, says David Cameron
However, George Osborne says that cut for higher rate tax payers will go ahead
13 January, 2012
12 January
Welfare Reform Bill may breach children’s right, says Children’s Commissioner
New impact assessment of Bill sets out potential adverse effects on children including increase in poverty and homelessness
12 January, 2012
Single body needed to oversee interaction between benefits, says Public Accounts Committee
New report also says that success of universal credit will depend on proper co-ordination with localised support
12 January, 2012
Government loses three votes in Lords on ESA amendments to Welfare Reform Bill
However, Chris Grayling says that government will seek to overturn amendments when Bill returns to House of Commons
12 January, 2012
11 January
Inaccurate WCA reports creating ‘huge difficulties’ for CAB clients
New report expresses concern that assessments finding people with serious illnesses and disabilities fit for work also being used to determine DLA entitlement
11 January, 2012
10 January
Level of child poverty more than 50 per cent in some areas of large cities, says Campaign to End Child Poverty
'Child Poverty Map of the UK' sets out regional variations in local authorities, constituencies and wards
10 January, 2012
Increased immigration not associated with increase in claims for jobseeker’s allowance, says NIESR
New research based on analysis of national insurance number registrations by foreign nationals
10 January, 2012
9 January
Government needs to ensure money for localised social fund support is ringfenced
Group of 20 leading charities expresses 'deep concern' about proposal to pass funding to local authorities without any duty to provide support
09 January, 2012
6 January
Government reported to be backing down on proposed benefit cap
Changes to Welfare Reform Bill could include basing cap on average income of working households
06 January, 2012
Benefit uprating 2012/2013
DWP issues new HB guidance
06 January, 2012
4 January
Whether loan was taken out to acquire an interest in claimant’s home
New Court of Appeal judgment
04 January, 2012
