news
Welfare rights news
Page 1 of 350
18 June
Pensions Bill 2013-2014 receives second reading in House of Commons
Bill 'will bring our pensions system into the 21st century', says Iain Duncan Smith
18 June, 2013
Reducing universal credit taper to 55 per cent would have no impact on numbers living in poverty, says Minister for Employment
Response to written question in parliament
18 June, 2013
17 June
DWP to launch further consultation on mobility component of personal independence payment
Consultation, to be launched in late June, follows 'significant feedback' from disabled people and their organisations
17 June, 2013
Three quarters of employers positive about participation in work experience and sector-based work academies
New DWP research finds that most common benefits were getting extra resource at no or low cost and trying people out before hiring them
17 June, 2013
Over a third of ‘fit notes’ issued for mild to moderate mental health problems
New DWP research also finds that older people, males and those living in the most socially deprived areas more likely to have a long-term sickness episode
17 June, 2013
Welfare reforms in Wales leading to sharp increase in DHP applications
Welsh Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister to express 'very real concerns' about impact of changes in meeting with Lord Freud today
17 June, 2013
14 June
DWP urged to move quickly in clarifying national position following Upper Tribunal night shelter judgment
Issue must not get in the way of helping people off the streets, says Homeless Link
14 June, 2013
Bedroom tax is a cut not a reform, says the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland
'We know that estimated savings are based on the expectation that at least 85% of those affected will not want or be able to move to a smaller home'
14 June, 2013
13 June
Number of children living in relative poverty in 2011/2012 the same as in 2010/2011
However, CPAG highlights that absolute child poverty increased over same period and that majority of children were in working households.
13 June, 2013
Government extends evaluation of the audio recording of work capability assessments
DWP and Atos to amend written communications to claimants to boost awareness that recording can be requested
13 June, 2013
12 June
Peers ask Minister to issue guidance to local authorities following Upper Tribunal night shelter judgment
However, in response, Lord Freud emphasises that there is 'absolutely no change here in what is the kind of home for which housing benefit is appropriate'
12 June, 2013
Mandatory reconsideration will ‘effectively shorten the journey for all DWP administered benefits’
Minister for Disabled People says that new process will 'make sure that as many disputes as possible are resolved without the need to appeal'
12 June, 2013
Current DWP contracts with Atos Healthcare and Capita worth more than £2bn
Employment Minister sets out details in written answer to parliament
12 June, 2013
11 June
'Expert Working Group on Welfare' recommends retaining current welfare system for transitional period under an independent Scotland
Report, published today, says that Scottish and UK governments have 'strong interest' in working together
11 June, 2013
Home Office to time-limit right to reside of unemployed EEA nationals to six months
Theresa May also tells parliament that Immigration Bill will be used to regulate migrants access to benefits and public services
11 June, 2013
10 June
Personal independence payment 'better reflects today’s understanding of disability', says Esther McVey
However, as new benefit rolled out across UK, Scope highlights fear that reform is 'just an excuse to save money'
10 June, 2013
7 June
Church leaders write to Prime Minister asking for an apology on behalf of the government for misrepresenting benefit claimants
Letter cites three specific instances when information given was 'demonstrably and factually wrong'
07 June, 2013
6 June
Home Secretary urges European Union to tackle ‘abuse of free movement and benefit tourism’
Written statement to parliament ahead of today's EU Justice and Home Affairs Council
06 June, 2013
DWP to assess whether welfare reforms cause increase in homelessness
Any clear evidence of increase to lead to revised 'burdens assessment' and additional local authority funding as appropriate
06 June, 2013
Labour Party pledges to cap social security spending
Ed Miliband also announces plan to restore the contributory principle, lower the housing benefit budget and introduce a compulsory job guarantee
06 June, 2013
