Research Briefing
This note explains the Government’s intention that social housing tenants in receipt of assistance with their housing costs should take responsibility for passing this assistance to their landlords when Universal Credit is phased in from April 2013.
Research Briefing
This note provides an overview of Government childcare policies since 2010.
Research Briefing
This note gives an overview of support for childcare under the Labour Government 1997-2010.
Research Briefing
In his speech on welfare on welfare given at Bluewater, Kent on 25 June 2012, the Prime Minister put forward a number of ideas including removing access to Housing Benefit for people aged 16-24, and preventing school leavers from claiming benefits straight away. This note outlines the ways in which the tax benefit system already treats young people aged 18-24 differently, and the reaons why
Research Briefing
The Mesothelioma Bill [HL] establishes a new Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme to make payments to people with diffuse mesothelioma who were exposed to asbestos either negligently or in breach of statutory duty by an employer, and who are unable to bring a claim for damages against the employer or an Employers’ Liability (EL) insurer.
Research Briefing
This note discusses the implementation of the LHA since 7 April 2008 and the reform of Housing Benefit for private tenants.
Research Briefing
Looks at provisions in the Pensions Bill 2013/14 and will follow its progress through Parliament.
Research Briefing
This note sets out the historical rates for the major social security benefits since the introduction of the modern welfare state in 1948.
Insight
For Ministers and civil servants alike, the recent National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports on progress implementing Universal Credit (UC) will have made uncomfortable reading. The PAC described management of the UC programme as “extraordinarily poor”, pointing to a “shocking absence of financial and other internal controls.”
Research Briefing
The Bill provides the legislative framework for a new Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme to make payments to people with diffuse mesothelioma who were exposed to asbestos either negligently or in breach of statutory duty by an employer, and who are unable to bring a claim for damages against the employer or an Employers’ Liability (EL) insurer.
Research Briefing
People in residential care who receive Pension Credit do not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. Other care home residents receive half the full rate (£100, or £150 for people aged 80 or over). This note describes the rules as they apply to people in care homes, and explains the rationale behind them.
Research Briefing
Cold Weather Payments are made from the Social Fund to certain recipients of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Pension Credit during periods of very cold weather.
Research Briefing
Information on the current system of bereavement benefits (Bereavement Payment, Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent’s Allowance) and on the Government's proposals for a new Bereavement Support Payment.
Research Briefing
In Spending Round 2013 on 26 June, the Chancellor announced that new Universal Credit claimants subject to work-related conditionality who have not had a UC claim in the previous six months will have to wait seven days before becoming eligible for support. The measure is expected to be introduced from April 2015, and ultimately yield savings of around £260 million a year.
Research Briefing
From 1 April 2013, a new advance of benefit facility administered by DWP replaced Social Fund Budgeting Loans, interim payments of benefits and "alignment payments". This note gives details of the new system of Short Term Benefit Advances and Budgeting Advances.
Total results (page 19 of 25)