Welfare rights news

22 July, 2010

Directgov moves from DWP to Cabinet Office

Getting more people on line essential in move to cut costs while maintaining standards says Minister for Cabinet Office

21 July, 2010

Treatment of foster children in housing benefit assessments

DWP to amend legislation following recent Upper Tribunal decision

21 July, 2010

Coalition's welfare reforms won’t work in Northern Ireland, Social Development Minister tells Lord Freud

Alex Attwood highlights 'three big differences' between Belfast and London

21 July, 2010

Reassessment of 1.5 million incapacity benefit claimants will be a challenge that the DWP is equipped to deliver says Lord Freud

Minister for Welfare Reform responds to Lords' questions on migration to ESA

21 July, 2010

Change to average interest rate, as published by the Bank of England, when calculating housing costs

New statutory instrument

21 July, 2010

Transfer of contributory benefit rights to the Pension Scheme of the European Union

New statutory instrument

20 July, 2010

Parliament confirms new members of the Work and Pensions Select Committee

Appointments include former chief executive of CPAG

19 July, 2010

DWP launches informal online consultation on implementation of Work Programme

Introduction of facility to enable suppliers to propose and discuss ideas

16 July, 2010

Exemption from claiming retirement pension

New statutory instrument

16 July, 2010

Child support debt recovery target must be set as a matter of urgency, says Gingerbread

Response to DWP figures showing that £3,761 million owed in child maintenance arrears

15 July, 2010

Proportion of community care grant applications awarded decreases in comparison to last year

However proportion of budgeting loans awarded increases, according to new DWP figures

14 July, 2010

Despite fall in jobseeker's allowance claims, number on other benefits remains 'stubbornly high' says Minister for Employment

DWP responds to new labour market figures

14 July, 2010

Changes to housing benefit will not take effect until April 2011 says Minister of State for Pensions

Regulations to be laid before parliament in autumn 2010 with primary legislation for more long term changes to follow

13 July, 2010

Claiming bereavement benefits and funeral payments by telephone

New DWP guidance

13 July, 2010

Deductions for guaranteed minimum pension following change to female pensionable age

New DWP guidance

9 July, 2010

Revenue to carry out in depth review of its use of 0845 telephone numbers

Government aware that cost of calls can be an issue for some HMRC customers

9 July, 2010

New concordat between the DWP and the Scottish Government

Document sets out statement of intent of the way that the Department and the Scottish Government will work together

9 July, 2010

Jobcentre Plus advisers need more training to help them understand the detailed issues faced by older people

New DWP research report

9 July, 2010

Managing the flow of customers in Jobcentre Plus offices by directing those without appointments to the most appropriate contact channel

New DWP research report