Benefits

This briefing provides an overview of the progress of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill 2019-21. The Bill has now completed its passage through Parliament.

This House of Commons Library briefing paper provides a high-level overview of recent changes to social security provision in Northern Ireland and Scotland, including the devolution of significant welfare powers, and analyses how this has affected the structure of the UK social security system as a whole.

Spending on contributory benefits accounts for around 9% of social security expenditure on working-age adults and children.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge provides for Child Benefit to be clawed back through the tax system from families where the highest earner has an income in excess of £50,000.

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.

This briefing paper considers evidence of private landlords' reluctance to let to prospective tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit/Universal Credit. The paper looks at the reasons behind this reluctance and action being taken to challenge landlords/agents who operate a "no DSS" policy.

This Commons Library debate pack briefing has been prepared in advance of a debate in Westminster Hall on "the introduction of a universal basic income" scheduled for Tuesday 13 October 2020 at 9.30 am . The debate will be led by Ronnie Cowan MP, Neil Gray MP, Clive Lewis MP and Layla Moran MP.

There is growing concern that the debt collection practices of public sector bodies have fallen behind the standard of regulated creditors in the private sector. Practices have often been criticised as being unfair to the debtor and inefficient, possibly resulting in higher long-term costs to the taxpayer. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on debts owed to public bodies is not yet known, but it is likely to have led to further indebtedness.

This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper provides information on the implementation of local Council Tax Reduction Schemes since 1 April 2013. These local support schemes have replaced the national scheme of Council Tax Benefit.

This briefing paper explains the funding position and considers evidence on how Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are allocated by local authorities. DHPs are applied to help with shortfalls between Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and the rent due in certain circumstances.

This House of Commons Library briefing paper provides information about the number of informal carers in the UK and the issues they face. It also explains the rights, benefits and support available to informal carers as well as current and previous Government policy on caring.

What benefits are included in the cap, how it is applied, and who is exempt.

An overview of the capital rules for means-tested benefits, and where to find further information.

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 policy limits the total amount that Government can spend on certain benefits, including tax credits and housing benefit. Not to be confused with the household benefits cap which limits the amount individual households can receive.