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12 December, 2023

35,000 universal credit claimants with a nil award following sanction of 100 per cent of standard allowance had been ‘disengaged’ for more than six months in August 2023

New DWP statistics follow announcement of plan to close the claims of 'disengaged' claimants whose award before sanction consists solely of standard allowance

12 December, 2023

New guidance issued to judicial office holders setting out the key risks and issues associated with using artificial intelligence

As the use of AI continues to increase throughout society, so does its relevance to the court and tribunal system, advises Court and Tribunals Judiciary

12 December, 2023

Number of households subject to benefit cap decreased by 1 per cent in three months to August 2023

However, new DWP statistics also show that more than half of single-parent capped households on universal credit had at least one child aged under five

12 December, 2023

Changes to universal credit, JSA and ESA legislation to take account of the introduction of carer support payment in Scotland

New DWP guidance

11 December, 2023

Changes to UK social security legislation to take account of the introduction of carer support payment in Scotland

New DWP guidance

8 December, 2023

DWP says its new Conversational Platform virtual telephony system will help secure better insight into why claimants are calling and how best to respond

New virtual agent will be 'continually improved to meet our customers’ ongoing needs as well as improving the customer experience'

8 December, 2023

Peers criticise failure to explain why DWP has required two years to make changes to universal credit for people with severe disabilities following High Court judgment in TP and AR

Scrutiny Committee asks how long it will be before the Department remedies the situation of the more than 44,000 claimants who have been adversely affected

8 December, 2023

Scottish Parliament passes amended UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill

However, Social Justice Secretary highlights that the scope of the Bill has had to be limited because of legal action taken by the UK Government

7 December, 2023

DWP Minister leaves to take up newly created position of Minister for Legal Migration

Mini re-shuffle following Robert Jenrick's resignation sees Tom Pursglove move to the Home Office

7 December, 2023

Government says that DWP’s use of AI will be developed within a ‘robust governance and ethical framework’

Work and Pensions Secretary sets out how artificial intelligence is the 'next step' in the Department's digital transformation

7 December, 2023

DWP confirms it aims to make online apply for PIP service available nationally across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the end of 2024

Minister says that full rollout will proceed gradually as Department continues to test the functionality and stability of the new service

7 December, 2023

Government reiterates that solving benefit ‘cliff edge’ for people in supported housing will be challenging and is unlikely to happen soon

Work and Pensions Secretary says that DWP is 'keen to act' but that change will require secondary legislation, system upgrades and for funding to be secured

7 December, 2023

Removing income thresholds for Best Start Foods in Scotland from February 2024

New statutory instrument also makes changes to further align eligibility criteria with Best Start Grant and Scottish child payment

7 December, 2023

Estimated need for social welfare law advice in Wales far exceeds current provision

New Welsh Government analysis also finds that welfare benefits is the largest area of advice need, making up almost a third of around 900,000 instances of social welfare law advice needed in 2022/2023

6 December, 2023

Government has produced a National Disability Strategy ‘in name only’ with disabled people and their representative organisations having little to no influence

Calling for a targeted ten-year plan, Women and Equalities Select Committee describes current strategy as a 'list of un-coordinated and largely pre-existing short-term policies'

6 December, 2023

DWP needs to substantially reduce ‘unacceptable’ high level of fraud and error in benefit spending

Public Accounts Committee highlights that fraud and error has yet to fall significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic and, despite significant counter-fraud investment, the Department does not expect it to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2027/2028

6 December, 2023

Early reform of universal credit and reversing changes to delivery of reserved ill-health and disability benefits among key priorities for social security in an independent Scotland

Setting out plans for reform were it to have full control of social security powers, Scottish Government says it wants to move away from UK Government’s system of benefit freezes, caps and punishment to create a fairer, more dignified and respectful social security system

5 December, 2023

DWP confirms that Move to UC programme is ‘on track’ and that migration notices will be issued to remaining claimants in receipt of legacy benefits other than tax credits from April 2024

Writing to local authority Chief Executives, Universal Credit Senior Responsible Owner advises that migration notices will be issued sequentially according to benefit type

5 December, 2023

DWP is a failing organisation in a state of crisis, according to survey of PCS union members working for the Department

Overwhelmed by the power and volume of responses, PCS calls for 30,000 additional staff and a refocusing of priorities to help support the existing workforce