This Commons Library briefing paper outlines the measures introduced by the Government, and other authorities, to support household finances during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
This briefing summarises who is subject to the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) visa condition and how it is applied. It also identifies what state support and concessions might be available for migrants with NRPF during the coronavirus crisis. It does not cover migrants’ entitlements to NHS healthcare, or the position of European Economic Area nationals.
Benefits and tax credits that are linked to inflation rise by 1.7% in April 2020, marking the end of the four-year freeze that affected many such payments. Further increases have been made to Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit and Local Housing Allowance in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The triple lock delivers a 3.9% increase to the Basic and New State Pension.
This briefing sets out the background to Spring Budget 2020 which will take place on 11 March 2020. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will publish revised forecasts for the economy and public finances on the same day.
A Westminster Hall debate on Support for Refugees after Receiving Asylum Decision is scheduled for Wednesday 4 March 2020 at 2.30 pm. The Member leading the debate is Thangam Debbonaire MP.
There will be a 30-minute debate on local housing allowance (LHA) rates for homeless young people in Westminster Hall at 4pm on 4 February 2020, led by Caroline Lucas MP.
This Briefing Paper provides information on which claimants are affected by the reduction in Housing Benefit/housing element of Universal Credit when under-occupying a social rented home. The policy is often referred to as 'the removal of the Spare Room Subsidy' or the 'bedroom tax'. The benefit reduction has been in place since 1 April 2013. The paper has been updated to include some of the more recent legal challenges to the under-occupation deduction.
At 9.30 am on 24 July 2019 there will be a Westminster Hall debate on Local Housing Allowance and homelessness. The debate will be led by Mr Virendra Sharma MP.
2019/20 is the final year of the four-year freeze, which keeps most working-age benefits and tax credits at their 2015/16 cash values. Non-frozen benefits, mainly those aimed at disabled people and carers, rise in line with CPI inflation (+2.4%). The triple lock delivers a 2.6% increase to the new State Pension (£168.60 in 2019/20) and the Basic State Pension (£129.20).
What could happen if the EU and UK negotiators don't agree a withdrawal agreement in time and the UK has to leave the EU on 29 March 2019 without one - and with no framework for future relations either? This paper looks at how such a situation might come about, the constitutional implications for the UK and in some cases for the devolved administrations, and what the impact might be in a range of policy areas.
This briefing paper provides information on the decision to restrict entitlement to the housing cost element of Universal Credit for young people aged 18 to 21. On 29 March 2018 the Government announced that restrictions on accessing the housing element would be removed. Regulations have been laid - the relevant provisions will come into force on 31 December 2018.
This House of Commons Library debate pack briefing has been prepared in advance of an Opposition Day debate on Universal Credit, which will take place on Wednesday 17th October 2018.
This briefing paper explains the Government's proposals for the future funding of supported housing. On 9 August 2018 it was announced that Housing Benefit will continue to meet residents' rent payments in all supported housing. The paper also covers the requirement on providers to reduce rents up to 2019/20.
Universal Credit roll-out was around 11% complete across Great Britain as of December 2017, in terms of the number of households on UC. However, progress varies considerably between constituencies. Almost half of jobseekers are now on UC rather than "legacy" benefits. The majority of households receiving support for rent, children or incapacity are yet to move onto UC. This briefing provides a guide to roll-out of the Full Service in 2018/19 and original HC Library estimates for the progress or UC roll-out by constituency, region and across Great Britain.