Coronavirus: Impact on the labour market
This paper tracks the evolving impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the labour market.

This Commons Library Briefing Paper explores the history of the Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI), how they work in practice, the debate that surrounds them, and looks at recent developments in Scotland and the wider UK.
Accessing benefits with terminal illness (514 KB, PDF)
Terminal illness requires people and their families to adapt to new realities posed by their conditions, and to make the most of the time they have remaining. As well as the direct implications of ill-health and death, there can be significant financial costs – loss of income, additional costs of care, and other adaptations.
There is no benefit specifically designed to help people who are terminally ill cope with these financial impacts. However, “Special Rules for Terminal Illness” (SRTI) allow simpler and faster access to benefits designed to help with the additional costs of disability (Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Attendance Allowance) and those designed to replace the income of those whose ability to work is affected by disability or ill health (Employment and Support Allowance and additional elements of Universal Credit).
The Special Rules acknowledge that the normal process of claiming benefits takes time and can impose burdens unsuitable for those who may be in the closing months of their lives. Some benefits also have qualifying periods where claimants must usually have conditions for months before entitlement begins. The period between applying, undergoing assessments and entitlement being determined can also take months.
‘Terminal illness’ for DWP purposes has been defined in legislation since 1990. A person is regarded as terminally ill if they have a ‘progressive disease’ and as a result their death ‘can reasonably be expected within six months.’ Claimants who meet the definition of terminal illness, or those claiming on their behalf, are advised to get a medical professional to complete a ‘DS1500’ form confirming that they meet the six-month criteria.
In recent years, this definition has come under criticism for being too narrow, making it difficult for some terminally ill people to access benefits. The Scottish Government is removing the six-month requirement for some benefits it has power over and, following calls to do the same, the UK Government is evaluating its approach.
Critics of current policy have also pointed to problems faced by people who live for more than three years after awards are made under the SRTI, whose situation is often reviewed.
This Commons Library Briefing Paper explores the history of the SRTI, how they work in practice, the debate that surrounds them, and looks at recent developments in Scotland and the wider UK.
Accessing benefits with terminal illness (514 KB, PDF)
This paper tracks the evolving impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the labour market.
This briefing outlines support for victims of domestic violence and abuse. It considers social services, housing, social security benefits, health services and preventative actions in education settings.
Benefits and tax credits that are linked to inflation rise by 0.5% in April 2021, while the triple lock delivers a 2.5% increase to the Basic and New State Pension. Temporary uplifts to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit, worth £20 per week, are set to lapse in April 2021 - the Government says it will "look at the economic and health context before making any decisions" about further support for low-income families during the coronavirus crisis.