Government proposals to introduce a cut in HB for tenants of social landlords, for those with more bedrooms than they are assessed as needing, were defeated during the Report Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill today.

While it will take a little time to amend the FFBM and rerun the examples in the paper, it’s worth making a few points about older people and the announcements. Pension Credit Guarantee basic amounts are tied to earnings by the Pensions Act which is how they escape / avoid the CPI link. At the […]

Speaking in yesterday’s Lords Grand Committee session looking at the benefits cap, Lord Freud, the minister, said that childcare support would be excluded from the cap. In an exchange with Lord Mackenzie he said The noble Lord, Lord McKenzie, asked about childcare-specifically whether those working a small number of hours will be eligible for support […]

I’ve just completed a new version of this paper. It’s completely remodelled following the changes that have been announced recently, including: Earnings disregard increases in Universal Credit – which have a substantial effect. Childcare in Universal Credit and other changes. It looks at the complex and surprising relationship between housing costs and earnings in UC […]

The committee is due to complete its stages on the 28th November (the day before the Chancellor makes his autumn statement). The sections to be covered on each day will be: the Social Fund issues on 10 November; the PIP on 14 and 16 November; the benefit cap on 21 November; fraud and error on […]

During yesterday’s Grand Committee stage in the Lords of the Welfare Reform Bill, Lord Freud confirmed that, following the introduction of the Housing Credit into Pension Credit, Pension Credit will have a capital cut-off. This will apply to the benefit as a whole, not just the housing credit, and may, apparently, replace tariff income for […]

All sorts of things ’emerging’ now. Lord Freud answered a question during the Lords’ committee stage yesterday to say that support for mortgage interest (SMI) will not be paid to those in full time work. The two year limit will also continue for those not in work. A lot of the seamlessness of design there […]

The government, after successful lobbying by many individuals and organisations, has decided to extend the current tax credit support limits of 70% of a maximum £175 for one child and £300 for 2 or more children to those working less than 16 hours a week. This will put an extra £300m into the childcare pot […]

Took place yesterday. Not much of substance but a lot of concern about the benefits cap and PIP. You can read it all here

Briefing notes on carers published by DWP at this page They say The Universal Credit award will include a carers element which will continue for as long as the carer provides care for at least 35 hours per week for a severely disabled person. The Universal Credit earnings taper will apply to the award and […]