Welfare rights news

1 December, 2008

Help with NHS costs in Scotland for those in receipt of employment and support allowance

New statutory instrument

1 December, 2008

Government’s welfare to work reforms are major step towards disability equality

Equality has to come from opportunities to work and participate, says Secretary of State

28 November, 2008

Councils should be given greater responsibility for coordinating efforts to tackle rising unemployment

Work and Pensions Minister welcomes publication of new report on 'tackling worklessness'

28 November, 2008

Relaxation of voluntary NI contribution rules

Pensions Act 2008 receives Royal Assent

28 November, 2008

Northern Ireland Social Security Agency launches consultation on delivering better customer service

Proposals include improved telephony, appointment booking and online provision

28 November, 2008

Long-term unemployed to be required to work for benefit on a full-time basis

People need to have the right incentive and right support to get back into work, says Secretary of State

28 November, 2008

Ensuring participation of young people in England in education or training until the age of 18

Education And Skills Act 2008 receives Royal Assent

28 November, 2008

DWP contributes more than a third of total civil service posts lost to efficiency savings

Treasury publishes new figures, as government announces new target for 2010/2011

28 November, 2008

Changes to housing benefit and council tax benefit overpayment rules

New DWP guidance

27 November, 2008

Extension of lone parent work conditionality

New statutory instrument and DWP guidance

27 November, 2008

Aligning the incapacity benefit and ESA work-focused interview regimes in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

27 November, 2008

‘Relevant week’ for christmas bonus purposes

New statutory instrument

26 November, 2008

Verification of capital for housing benefit and council tax benefit purposes

New DWP guidance confirms relaxation of rules

26 November, 2008

Social security benefits and ID cards for non-EEA foreign nationals

New DWP guidance

26 November, 2008

Restoring the government’s policy intent following the Lords’ judgment in Heffernan

DWP consults on amendments to the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Orders

26 November, 2008

Government’s plans to reform the budgeting loan scheme unlikely to attract commercial interest

'Deep sub-prime' nature of borrowers a barrier, says DWP-commissioned study

26 November, 2008

Government confirms ‘moratorium’ on Jobcentre Plus closures

Twenty five offices reprieved as part of £1.3bn of 'additional' support

26 November, 2008

Child benefit increases to be disregarded as income

DWP issues new HB guidance on January 2009 uprating

26 November, 2008

‘Right time’ and ‘right benefit’ HB performance indicators

New DWP guidance