This Commons Library Briefing Paper provides an overview of the concerns that increasing numbers of children in England are being 'off-rolled' - being excluded or otherwise leaving school for reasons that do not serve their best interests
There is growing evidence of major strain on the system providing support for children and young people in England with special educational needs or disabilities
This Commons Library briefing looks at Carer's Allowance - a non-contributory, non-means-tested benefit paid to people who care full-time for someone who is severely disabled. It covers the background to the benefit and issues frequently raised by people claiming it, including the level of the benefit, its interaction with other benefits including the Retirement Pension, and the difficulties recipients face when seeking to combine their caring duties with paid work or studying. Reforms to Carer's Allowance have been discussed, but there have been no significant changes to the benefit in recent years, and Carer's Allowance will remain a separate benefit under the Universal Credit system. Responsibility for Carer's Allowance and related disability benefits is now devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government has introduced a Carer's Allowance Supplement, and Carer's Allowance in Scotland will be replaced by a new benefit - Carer's Assistance - starting from winter 2021.
When summoned for jury service a person is legally obliged to attend, unless there are compelling reasons why they are unable to. A fine of £1,000 can be levied if the summons form is not returned of if the potential juror fails to turn up for their jury service.
This Commons Library briefing looks at how Universal Credit will affect benefit claimants who are, or were, getting the Severe Disability Premium. It covers measures which came into force in January 2019 to prevent people getting SDP from moving onto UC until they can receive transitional protection, and "SDP transitional payments" for those who have already moved to UC and lost SDP.
A Westminster Hall debate on Endometriosis workplace support has been scheduled for Tuesday 29 October 2019 from 2.30-4 pm. The debate has been initiated by Rt Hon Alec Shelbrooke MP.
The definition of 'EEA citizen' in the rules for the Home Office's settled status scheme has recently changed. What are the consequences? How do these changes affect the people of Northern Ireland? Why are some people unhappy with these changes? What does British nationality law say about people born in Northern Ireland? How do these nationality laws interact with the birthright provision of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement? What does the European Convention on Human Rights say about identity and immigration? What do the people of Northern Ireland say when they are asked about their nationality? This paper looks at the complex issues behind all these questions.
This note looks at the debate on the treatment of spouses and civil partners for the purposes of inheritance tax, principally in the context of the passage of the Civil Partnerships Act 2004, and the provisions in Budget 2005 to ensure the tax system treated each in the same way.
This note looks at the way in which forming a civil partnership affects rights to state, occupational and personal pensions and at the relevant provisions in the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
This briefing examines policies in England to improve dementia diagnosis, care, support and research. Health is a devolved matter, and the note also briefly outlines dementia strategies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It also provides statistics on rates of dementia.