Research Briefing
Universal Credit (UC) is a new benefit which is to replace means-tested social security benefits and tax credits for working-age claimants by 2022. UC work allowances, the maximum a claimant can earn before their award is withdrawn, were reduced from April 2016 onwards. Limits to support for new claimants will also apply from April 2017. This paper provides an introduction to Universal Credit and analyses the impact of these changes.
Debate Pack
MPs will debate the Autumn Statement distributional analysis, Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance, on Wednesday 16 November 2016. This will be an Opposition Day debate. This Commons Library briefing page contains Library briefings, independent and select committee reports.
Debate Pack
There will be an Opposition Day debate on HMRC's contract with Concentrix to review and correct tax credit claims on Wednesday 26 October 2016. This House of Commons Library briefing provides a background summary and also press and parliamentary coverage.
Debate Pack
MPs will debate the performance of Concentrix in dealing with tax credit claimants, on Tuesday 18 October 2016 in Westminster Hall from 9.30 to 11.00 am. Fiona Mactaggart MP will lead the debate . This House of Commons Library briefing provides a summary of the issues and relevant press and parliamentary coverage.
Research Briefing
The House of Commons Library Welfare Expenditure and Savings Tool combines multiple sources of expenditure and savings data into one easy to use, up-to-date analysis tool. Users can track changes in welfare expenditure over time, analyse savings as a proportion of expenditure and identify key policy measures by benefit announced since June 2010. Total spending on UK social security and tax credits will be £218.4 billion in 2016-17, 28.3% of total managed expenditure. Measures announced since 2010 will save around £26 billion in the same year, roughly 10% of what welfare spending might otherwise have been.
Debate Pack
MPs will debate Universal basic income on Wednesday 14 September 2016 in Westminster Hall from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Ronnie Cowan MP will open the debate. This House of Commons Library page discusses the issues with and arguments for and against universal basic income schemes, and recent developments.
Research Briefing
Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance is a benefit for unemployed people with a sufficient record of National Insurance contributions. It is not means-tested as such, but the amount of contribution-based JSA payable is reduced on a pound for pound basis by any regular income the claimant receives from an occupational or private pension in excess of £50 a week.
Debate Pack
MPs will debate the Effect of Universal Credit on children on Tuesday 10 May 2016. This is a Backbench Business debate secured by Stephen Timms MP. This House of Commons Library page provides an overview of Universal Credit and links to relevant briefings and reports.
Research Briefing
The Library briefing provides an overview of the benefits changes introduced since 2010 affecting disabled people and their families, looks at the impact of the changes, and summarises responses from disability organisations and others.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Briefing Paper summarises some key findings arising from research into the impact of the under-occupation deduction from Housing Benefit (also referred to as the 'Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy' or 'bedroom tax').
Research Briefing
The Welfare Reform and Work Bill 2015-16 had its Third Reading in the House of Lords on 9 February, and the Commons is due to consider Lords amendments on 23 February.
Debate Pack
There will be a debate on work capability assessments in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 9 February 2016 at 2.30pm, initiated by Louise Haigh MP. This Library briefing page provides background to the debate.
Debate Pack
There will be a debate entitled, Effect of the roll-out of Universal Credit in the North West, in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 13 January 2016 at 9.30am. Marie Rimmer MP will lead the debate. This page provides a background briefing.
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. To “trigger” the payments, the average temperature at a specified weather station must be recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. The scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March each year.
Debate Pack
Benefit sanctions will be debated in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 16 December at 2.30 pm. Dr Eilidh Whiteford will lead the debate. This Library briefing provides an overview of how benefit sanctions work and further background information.
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