Welfare rights news

6 September, 2010

Housing benefit cut for long term unemployed would affect at least 194,000 claimants says TUC

New research suggests that lone parents, disabled people and the recently homeless amongst those most likely to lose out

3 September, 2010

Welfare reform proposals need to protect the most vulnerable

Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland response to new report by Centre for Social Justice

2 September, 2010

Just over half of claimants will continue to have mortgage interest met in full from October 2010

DWP Equality Impact Assessment on change in standard interest rate used to calculate housing costs

1 September, 2010

Consultation on ‘21st Century Welfare’ in Northern Ireland

Minister for Social Development invites responses

27 August, 2010

Revenue's plan to scale back its Enquiry Centre service likely to increase pressure on the advice sector

Demand for face-to face services remains high, says the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

27 August, 2010

Problems with ESA administration continue in Northern Ireland

Many claimants experiencing severe financial hardship, stress and anxiety, says Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland

25 August, 2010

Families and poorest hardest hit by coalition cuts

New Institute for Fiscal Studies research commissioned by the End Child Poverty campaign

25 August, 2010

Impact of work-focused services in children’s centre pilot

New DWP research report

23 August, 2010

DWP encourages local authorities to increase take-up of housing and council tax benefit

New HB guidance

20 August, 2010

Government proposes benefit sanctions for drug and alcohol users who refuse treatment

Home Office consultation ahead of drug strategy to be published later this year

20 August, 2010

Self employed earners and periods without work

New DWP guidance following reported Upper Tribunal decision

20 August, 2010

CPAG 'deeply concerned' that government announcement on social mobility fails to mention child poverty targets

Response to speech by Deputy Prime Minister

20 August, 2010

Staff perceptions of Jobcentre Plus ‘downturn measures’

New DWP research report

19 August, 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 receives Royal Assent

Provisions designed to move towards greater flexibility and personalisation of benefit conditonality

19 August, 2010

Local housing allowance changes will have serious and negative impact on some of poorest and most vulnerable households

Shelter calls on councillors to submit evidence to Select Committee Inquiry and SSAC consultation on new rules

18 August, 2010

Treasury reported to be reviewing universal benefits for ‘middle classes’

However, Deputy Prime Minister says no decisions have yet been made

18 August, 2010

Chancellor says that the government is committed to welfare reform

Response to reported dispute with Secretary of State over cost of reform proposals

16 August, 2010

Pension rights of claimant who had undergone male to female gender reassignment surgery

DWP guidance on leave to appeal against Court of Appeal decision

16 August, 2010

Carer’s allowance and full-time education

New DWP guidance following Court of Appeal decision