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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

5 December, 2023

DWP must ensure that claimants sent a migration notice have all the information they need to understand what it means for them and how to claim

CPAG highlights qualitative research which shows that, in some cases, misunderstandings have left claimants worse off financially, and says there is 'considerable room for improvement in this area'

5 December, 2023

DWP updates staff guidance on proof of identity evidence requirements for refugees making universal credit claims

Response to FOI request includes updated general guidance and new guidance on the types of primary evidence that can be used to prove a claimant's identity

4 December, 2023

DWP issues new transitional protection guidance for those in receipt of a universal credit migration notice

However, Department fails to address questions raised by advisers as more people have started to be subject to the managed migration process

4 December, 2023

Pensioner households were underpaid almost £30 million of winter fuel payments last winter

While NAO Auditor General qualifies opinion on regularity of DWP's Social Fund Account for 2022/2023 as a result, he says that positive progress has been made in responding to the issue

1 December, 2023

DWP says those that lose passported health benefits under plans to close the benefit claims of sanctioned claimants are likely to have prescriptions for ‘only minor health conditions’

However, responding to peers' concerns about the new sanctions policy, DWP Minister says that claimants who have more severe health conditions and vulnerabilities will be excluded from the new policy

1 December, 2023

Government confirms that increase to minimum income floor for self-employed lead carers of children aged 3-12 will be introduced from January 2024

Correction to Autumn Statement changes date of implementation from April 2024 and removes original reference to maximum amount of increase