Read the latest social welfare news from around the UK.
2 Child Policy Limit Affecting 100,000s and most are in Work
In April 2017, the government introduced a policy that provides support for a maximum of 2 children in Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit(for those born after that date)
UC Migration Latest
The Work and Pensions Select Committee has been told by the government that-
DWP to Stop 'cold calling' Claimants to make low Benefit Offers
The Public Law Project Took a case to the High Court and obtained an Order by Consent which says the Best Practise Memorandum(referred to in Decision Makers Gui
Latest PIP Statistics
Latest PIP statistics published on 15/6/2021
UC and Tax Credit Debt Recovery
The government has confrmed the very high burden of Tax Credit Debt recovery on Universal Credit claimants-
Shared Accommodation Rate Exemption Extended
In our at a glance guide to Benefit Changes announced in the Budget 2021, we explained a change which is helpful to some claimants-
Sanctions under Universal Credit
Sanctions under Universal Credit are not back up to pre pandemic levels yet, but are edging . upwards.
Figures on Overpayments in the Benefits System
Latest Government figures point to around 3.9% of benefts expenditure being overpaid or £8.4 billion. This is-
Fraud- 3%
Claimant Error- 0.6%
Foodbanks
A report called State of Hunger, by the Trussell Trust, has found- 1.5 million unique households (5-6 % of all UK households) were supported by an independent food bank or a food bank in the Trussell Trust network between April 2016 and March 2020.
First Take up Figures for Universal Credit
A report called Welfare at a (Social) Distance, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, found-
Higher Rent Arrears of UC Housing Association Claimants
A survey of Housing Associations by the National Housing Federation found- '60% of households claiming Universal Credit are in arrears, compared to 36% of
households paying by other means.'
Deductions for Fines under Universal Credit
A High Court Case, R (Blundell & Ors) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has ruled in favour of 4 claimants who were having large deductions taken from their Universal Credit for court fnes.
Universal Credit- A Guide for Landlords
The DWP has produced a short guide for private Landlords looking to considering renting to people on UC. Book now- Housing Costs and Universal Cr
Plan Your Training for the rest of the Year
We have released our dates for training until the end of 2021. Book now to ensure you get the date you require.