Welfare rights news

27 November, 2023

Scottish Social Justice Secretary expresses ‘deep concern’ about UK Government’s proposed changes to work capability assessment

In addition, Ms Somerville says that the proposed extension of the sanctions regime will have a very significant impact on some of the most vulnerable people, and that the government needs to act on benefits rates to ensure that everyone can afford the basics needed for survival

23 November, 2023

Government to freeze LHA rates again from 2025/2026 after announcing an increase for next year in yesterday’s Autumn Statement

Office for Budget Responsibility highlights that, as rental prices increase, the freeze after just one year will therefore erode generosity of increased rates over time

23 November, 2023

OBR forecasts that LCWRA caseload will reduce by more than 370,000 by 2028/2029 as a result of government’s proposed changes to the WCA

While the behavioural response to the reforms is 'uncertain', OBR also estimates that loss of income and higher conditionality will lead to a rise in employment of around 10,000 over the same period

23 November, 2023

Government tables amendments to Data Protection Bill to allow the DWP to carry out regular checks on benefit claimants’ bank accounts

Work and Pensions Secretary says new powers to check claimants' finances without first needing to establish suspicion of fraud will be used 'proportionately'

23 November, 2023

Learning and Work Institute and Carers Trust call on government to exempt young adult carers from full-time education rule in carer’s allowance

Pointing out that young adult carers often miss out on learning, letter to Secretary of State highlights the 'long-lasting educational and economic benefits' for individuals and the country that the change would bring

23 November, 2023

Unless decisive action is taken, Scottish Government will find that its commitments and targets to tackle child poverty will become unachievable, say MSPs

Social Justice and Social Security Committee calls for more clarity about the priorities of the Best Start Bright Futures Delivery Plan with explicit delivery and spending plans set against them

22 November, 2023

Government confirms plans to ‘get people into work to deliver growth’ as part of ‘biggest set of welfare reforms in a decade’

Delivering his Autumn Statement today, Chancellor says that many people can and want to work 'but our system makes that too hard'

22 November, 2023

Chancellor announces benefits to be increased by September 2023’s inflation figure next year and LHA rates to be increased to the 30th percentile of rents

Autumn Statement also confirms triple lock to be maintained, with pensions to increase by 8.5 per cent

22 November, 2023

Government issues response to September 2023 consultation on reforms to the work capability assessment

Response confirms amendment of LCWRA 'substantial risk' provisions, removal of LCWRA 'mobilising' activity, and reduction in points awarded for LCW 'getting about' descriptors, with reforms to be implemented for new claims from 2025 onwards

22 November, 2023

Increases in the transitional severe disability element in universal credit for those who were entitled to other disability premiums prior to migrating

New statutory instrument made in response to High Court judgment in January 2022 which found that failure to compensate claimants for loss of additional disability premiums was unlawful

22 November, 2023

Ensuring that a Category D retirement pension can continue to be claimed by people residing in an EEA state or Switzerland

New statutory instrument

21 November, 2023

MoJ evaluation finds that enabling access to early legal advice not only helps people solve their problems quickly but can also improve finances and health

However, while welcoming the recognition that providing support is a cost-effective investment, Law Society calls for a sustainably funded legal system rather than 'expecting advice-providers to live hand-to-mouth on precarious government grants'

21 November, 2023

Parliamentary Ombudsman provides update on delays to its final report on DWP’s communication of changes to women’s state pension age

Following a 'complex' investigation, provisional views on remedies for maladministration have been sent to complainants and the DWP, with their responses to be considered before final decisions are made

20 November, 2023

DWP faces legal challenge to the freeze of LHA rates that has remained in place since April 2020

Leigh Day issues pre-action letter on behalf of a disabled man and his disabled son who could only find suitable accommodation that was more than £170 per month above LHA rates

20 November, 2023

DWP confirms it is testing a Health Impact Record as a structured way of gathering evidence of fluctuating conditions prior to WCAs or PIP assessments

Providing an update on a range of initiatives outlined in the Health and Disability White Paper, Minister also confirms that Department is trialling an Enhanced Support Service for those who find it hardest to use the benefits system

20 November, 2023

DWP says its Service Modernisation Programme will ‘positively transform the customer experience’ through ‘more intuitive’ data-driven systems, automation and self-service’

Programme will be a six-year 'journey' that will also aim to create the conditions for staff to thrive and do their jobs effectively

20 November, 2023

Amendment of social fund maternity grant provisions in Northern Ireland to reflect changes to the law applying to surrogacy arrangements

New statutory rule

17 November, 2023

HMCTS identifies high proportion of lapsed appeals and overall clearance times as potential barriers to access to justice in social security and child support appeals

New report also highlights disparity in appeal clearance times by region and by protected characteristics, including ethnicity where appellant's main language is not English or Welsh

17 November, 2023

DWP outlines its plans for new WorkWell pilots to support those with a disability or health condition start, stay or succeed in work

Letter to Integrated Care System leaders invites bids for £64 million of grant funding to test new services over two years in around 15 pilot areas

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