Welfare rights news and case law

8 December, 2021

‘Better delivery’ and the transfer of ‘appropriate financial support’ will be crucial to the successful devolution of benefits in Wales

Social Justice Minister advises Select Committee that Welsh Government's clear intention is to support the devolution of welfare administration to help tackle inequality and poverty and provide social security with compassion and fairness

7 December, 2021

Judicial Review and Courts Bill ‘dilutes the power of the courts to order redress and should be amended’

Joint Committee of MPs and peers says accountability must be maintained and human rights protected

7 December, 2021

Knowledge of bereavement support payment prior to bereavement is low and there is no clear, formal route for finding out about it

New DWP research also finds that while some claimants felt adequately supported by the payments, for others they did not go far enough to stop them struggling

7 December, 2021

Claimant that worked erratic hours under zero hours contract was still required to meet ‘regular employment’ condition in order to retain entitlement to reduced earnings allowance

CI/242/2021
[2021] UKUT 279 (AAC)

6 December, 2021

Government rejects Select Committee call for it to develop a new cross-departmental strategy to tackle child poverty

Response to Committee's report instead highlights that its main approach for tackling poverty is the DWP's focus on getting people into work through the Plan for Jobs

6 December, 2021 Open access

Almost five million households claimed state support towards their rent in August 2021, up almost a fifth compared to before the Covid-19 outbreak

New analysis of DWP data from Shelter also shows that over the pandemic the number of private renters claiming support has increased by almost 40 per cent

3 December, 2021

DWP confirms that Youth Offer has been extended to universal credit claimants aged 16 and 17

Eligibility for programme providing help to find a job, work-related training or an apprenticeship expanded from 1 December 2021

3 December, 2021

Revaluation of ‘protected payments’ and pension sharing ‘debits and credits’ in the new state pension in relation to those reaching pensionable age on or after 12 April 2022

New legislation issued in Northern Ireland

1 December, 2021

‘Things just haven’t been taken forward’ in the seven years since the fifth and final review of the work capability assessment was published

While DWP policy people are 'co-operative and enthusiastic', in operations there is a 'sucking of teeth' and '12 reasons why they can't do it', says review's author

1 December, 2021

Supreme Court unanimously allows DWP’s appeal against Court of Appeal ruling that government acted unlawfully in barring EU citizens from relying on pre-settled status to access universal credit

[2021] UKSC 53

1 December, 2021

Number of claimants attending face-to-face jobcentre appointments each month has increased almost six-fold since spring 2021

Employment Minister also advises that there is no maximum number of appointments that a work coach is expected to deliver in a day

1 December, 2021

Double payment of Scottish carer’s allowance supplement will be made on 15 December 2021

Payment of £462.80 will be made to eligible carers who were receiving carer’s allowance on 11 October 2021

1 December, 2021

Consultation launched on new winter heating benefit in Scotland

Proposed £50 payment replaces cold weather payment and will be paid annually to low-income households

30 November, 2021

Reduction in universal credit taper rate and increase in work allowances from 24 November 2021

New DWP guidance

30 November, 2021

Jonathan Ashworth appointed Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary

Mr Ashworth replaces Jonathan Reynolds who moves to Shadow Business and Industrial Strategy Secretary

30 November, 2021

Amendments to the system for appointing another person to act on behalf of claimants dealing with Social Security Scotland

New statutory instrument

30 November, 2021

Poverty in Wales could be halved if a universal basic income scheme were to be implemented

New feasibility study commissioned by Future Generations Commissioner also finds that even with a ‘modest’ £60 per week basic income, child poverty would reduce by 64 per cent

30 November, 2021

Revaluation of ‘protected payments’ and pension sharing ‘debits and credits’ in the new state pension in relation to those reaching pensionable age on or after 12 April 2022

New statutory instruments

29 November, 2021

First Minister announces Scottish child payment will be doubled to £20 per child per week from April 2022

Funding of the 'boldest and most ambitious anti-poverty measure anywhere in the UK' will be confirmed in the Scottish Budget on 9 December 2021