Research Briefing
This note looks at the mechanisms introduced as part of reforms to the four large public service pension schemes in 2007-08 to cap the contributions made by employers, thereby limiting the liability of the taxpayer. The current Government has decided to replace this policy with employee contribution increases.
Research Briefing
Most but not all benefits are uprated in April each year, by reference to the increase in prices over the year to the previous September. The current Government has adopted the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) as the measure of inflation for uprating purposes. CPI tends to rise more slowly than the measures used. previously. The CPI for September 2011 was higher than expected, and media reports have suggested that the Government was considering changing the basis for uprating benefits. In the Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced that while benefits would increase by the full CPI from April 2011, the couple and lone parent elements of Working Tax Credit would be frozen and the child element of Child Tax Credit would increase by less than was planned.
Research Briefing
To access most social security benefits and tax credits, a EEA national has to have a 'right to reside' in the UK. Broadly speaking, this means they must be economically active. The European Commission has stared infingement proceedings agains the UK on the basis that the test discriminates against non-UK nationals from other Member States, but the UK Government has pedged to fight any challenge.
Research Briefing
Article discussion the implications of the June 2010 Budget Coalition Government announcement that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) would be used to uprate benefits, and state pensions, including public service pensions.
Research Briefing
Looks at at the introduction of Pension Credit and its development to December 2011
Research Briefing
Section 1 of the Pensions Act 2011 will accelerate the increase in the State Pension age to 66. The amended the Bill in its final stages to cap the maximum increase in women's State Pension age at 18 months relative to the previously legislated timetable. This note also looks at this and other Government amendments to the Bill in its final stages. It complements and updates Library Research Paper 11/68 Pensions Bill: Commitee Stage Report.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the Public Bill Committee Stage of the Pensions Bill. It is designed to complement Research Paper Pensions Bill (RP 11/52), which covers in more detail the background to the Bill and the debates in the House of Lords.
Research Briefing
The Commons Report Stage and Third Reading of the Welfare Reform Bill took place on 13 and 15 June. Amendments relating to the Universal Credit, housing support, the Social Fund and the Personal Independence Payment were debated, but other groups of amendments –including those on Employment and Support Allowance changes and the benefit cap – were not discussed as proceedings on each day reached the deadlines specified in the programme motion before they could be considered.
Research Briefing
Pension Credit Statistics. By Tom Rutherford. SN/SG/2756.
Research Briefing
This paper has been prepared for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons on the Pensions Bill and outlines the main changes to the paper.
Research Briefing
This is an account of the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill. It complements Research Papers 11/23 and 11/24, prepared for the Commons Second Reading debate.
Research Briefing
The Habitual Residence Test is applied to people (unless they are exempt categories) who have recently arrived in the country and who make a claim for certain means-tested social security benefits, or seek housing assistance from a local authority.
Research Briefing
This note outlines the arrangements for contracting out of the State Second Pension
Research Briefing
The Welfare Reform Bill provides for the introduction of a 'Universal Credit' to replace a range of existing means-tested benefits and tax credits for people of working age, starting from 2013. The Bill follows the November 2010 White Paper, Universal Credit: welfare that works, which set out the Government’s proposals for reforming welfare to improve work incentives, simplify the benefits system and tackle administrative complexity.
Research Briefing
This paper has been prepared for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons. For information on the provision in the Bill relating to the introduction of Universal Credit, please see the complementary Library Research Paper, 11/24. Besides Universal Credit, the Bill proposes a number of other significant welfare reforms, including replacement of the current Disability Living Allowance, restriction of Housing Benefit entitlement to social housing tenants whose accommodation is larger than they need, time-limiting the payment of contributory Employment and Support Allowance to twelve months, and capping the total amount of benefit that can be claimed.
Total results (page 34 of 40)