Welfare rights news

6 March, 2008

Government consults on whether the benefit system creates unnecessary barriers to independent living

Office for Disability Issues launches cross-government 'Independent Living Strategy'

5 March, 2008

Doctors to be given support to help claimants see that 'work can be part of the solution, not part of the problem'

GP education pilot programme to be rolled out nationally, says Work and Pensions Secretary

5 March, 2008

Routes onto benefit of recent incapacity benefit claimants

New DWP research

5 March, 2008

Revised HB ‘localities’ introduced in London

Announcement follows delay as a result of injunction taken out by Westminster City Council

5 March, 2008

Housing tax credit needed to support the growing number of home-owners at risk of repossession

New report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

5 March, 2008

Data transfers to resume between local authority housing benefit departments and the DWP

New means of encryption developed following Revenue loss of child benefit data

5 March, 2008

80% of claimants satisfied with the service they receive from Jobcentre Plus

Results are testament to the professionalism and expertise of our staff, says Work and Pensions Minister

4 March, 2008

Miscellaneous amendments to child support legislation

New statutory instrument

4 March, 2008

Inquiry into the DWP’s carers strategy

Work and Pensions Committee calls for evidence

4 March, 2008

Home Responsibilities Protection for partners of child benefit claimants

New statutory instrument

3 March, 2008

Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 receives Royal Assent

Changes provide solid foundation for the future, says Social Development Minister

3 March, 2008

Further investment needed if the government is to meet its target of halving child poverty by 2010

New report from the Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee

3 March, 2008

Amounts payable under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Act 1979

New statutory rule

29 February, 2008

Views and experiences of Child Support Agency clients

New DWP research

29 February, 2008

Four out of ten children in London live below the poverty line

Significant increases in child tax credit and child benefit needed, says London Child Poverty Commission

28 February, 2008

Entitlement to retirement pension in Northern Ireland without having to make a claim

New statutory rule

28 February, 2008

DWP to lose 12,000 full-time posts over the next three years

Greater demands to be imposed than ever before, says Department's Permanent Secretary

28 February, 2008

DWP outlines ‘radical change’ in private and voluntary sector delivery of welfare to work programmes

Greater focus on payments by results as Secretary of State launches new 'Commissioning Strategy'

28 February, 2008

Council tax in England - valuations, appeals and the electronic delivery of notices

New statutory instruments