Changes to housing benefit announced in the June 2010 budget

Changes to housing benefit announced in the June 2010 budget PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Work and Pensions Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215555731
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 216

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Work and Pensions Committee report that there is still a level of uncertainty around the impact of the proposed changes to Housing Benefit and their cumulative effect on households. The report examines the wide-ranging reforms to the Housing Benefit system proposed by the Government, and in particular for claimants in the private rented sector, in receipt of Local Housing Allowance. The Committee accepts the Government's desire to slow the sharp rise in Housing Benefit costs, particularly in the private rented sector, and thereby to influence the private rental market. However, it expresses some concerns about the availability of private rented accommodation in certain localities, which tenants are likely to be able to secure at the new Housing Benefit levels.

Changes to housing benefit announced in the June 2010 budget

Changes to housing benefit announced in the June 2010 budget PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Work and Pensions Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215555731
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 216

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Work and Pensions Committee report that there is still a level of uncertainty around the impact of the proposed changes to Housing Benefit and their cumulative effect on households. The report examines the wide-ranging reforms to the Housing Benefit system proposed by the Government, and in particular for claimants in the private rented sector, in receipt of Local Housing Allowance. The Committee accepts the Government's desire to slow the sharp rise in Housing Benefit costs, particularly in the private rented sector, and thereby to influence the private rental market. However, it expresses some concerns about the availability of private rented accommodation in certain localities, which tenants are likely to be able to secure at the new Housing Benefit levels.

June 2010 budget

June 2010 budget PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Treasury Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215554376
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 116

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this report the Treasury Committee examine some of the risks and uncertainties in the approach taken by the Chancellor in the June 2010 Budget. The June Budget was more radical towards debt reduction than that taken by the previous government, but it also signalled a move to rebalance the economy away from the public and toward the private sector. The Committee expresses concern that there might be a slight increase in the chance of near-term negative growth, and that the Office for Budget Responsibility's independence has been called into question. It notes that net trade is not expected to contribute positively to GDP growth in 2010, and that the VAT increase will affect inflation. On welfare, the proposals to reduce housing benefit for Jobseeker's Allowance claimants after one year will affect some 300,000 people, and the Committee calls for fuller information about those affected, especially households with children. The aim to make the measures fair in absolute terms and as a proportion of income is supported, though the Committee is concerned that the poorest fare slightly less well than middle income groups. The inclusion of charts showing the distributional effects of the Budget is welcomed. The Committee also comments on the problems faced by small and medium sized enterprise in raising credit and on the bank levy. The Chancellor's statement that he has built an element of caution into the fiscal mandate is taken as a signal that he would introduce measures to stimulate the economy if economic conditions demanded.

The Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. no. 2010/2835), the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Amendment Order 2010 (S.I. no. 2010/2836)

The Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. no. 2010/2835), the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Amendment Order 2010 (S.I. no. 2010/2836) PDF Author: Great Britain: Social Security Advisory Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780108509551
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Get Book Here

Book Description
In the June 2010 budget, the Government set out a range of proposals aimed at curbing Housing Benefit expenditure that will be introduced between 2011 and 2013. The measures were referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee and this report outlines their recommendations and the Government's response to those recommendations. Principally these included: the removal of the five bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate so the maximum level is for a four bedroom property; the introduction of absolute caps to the Local Housing Allowance; the removal of £15 weekly Housing Benefit excess; include an additional bedroom with the size criteria where there is a proven need for overnight care that is provided by a non-resident carer; and setting Local Housing Allowance rates at the 30th percentile of rents in each Broad Rental Market Area. The Committee raised a number of concerns about the scale and impact of the changes and recommended that the Government should not go ahead with the package of amendments proposed. Among the Committee's recommendations were that the introduction of the CAP be deferred until October 2011; that initially a full Equality Impact Assessment be carried out and that a transition period be incorporated. The Government however feels that the amendments are the first steps in creating a more balanced affordable system and has decided to proceed.

Connecting People with Jobs Activation Policies in the United Kingdom

Connecting People with Jobs Activation Policies in the United Kingdom PDF Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
ISBN: 9264217185
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 248

Get Book Here

Book Description
This report examines recent activation policies in the United Kingdom aimed at moving people back into work. It offers insight into how countries can improve the effectiveness of their employment services and also control spending on benefits.

Support for Housing Costs in the Reformed Welfare System - HC 720

Support for Housing Costs in the Reformed Welfare System - HC 720 PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Work and Pensions Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 0215070593
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 72

Get Book Here

Book Description
Reforms to the support provided for housing costs - including the Social Sector Size Criteria (SSSC) (also known as the "Bedroom Tax" and the "Spare Room Subsidy") and the household Benefit Cap are causing financial hardship to vulnerable people who were not the intended targets of the reforms and are unlikely to be able to change their circumstances in response. The SSSC is having a particular impact on people with disabilities who have adapted homes or need a room to hold medical equipment or to accommodate a carer. Anybody living in a home that has been significantly adapted for them should be exempt from the SSSC and all recipients of Carers Allowance where the carer lives with the disabled person should be exempt from the Benefit Cap. The Report further urges the Government to exempt all households that contain a person in receipt of higher level disability benefits (DLA or PIP) from the SSSC. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are only temporary, and whether or not a claimant is awarded DHP is heavily dependent on where they live because different local authorities apply different eligibility rules. Local authorities often have no option other than to place homeless households in expensive temporary accommodation and claimants can then fall within the scope of the Benefit Cap. Local authorities then often have to pay the shortfall for those affected by the Cap so there is no overall saving to public funds. All households in temporary accommodation should therefore also be exempt from the Benefit Cap.

The Divisive State of Social Policy

The Divisive State of Social Policy PDF Author: Kelly Bogue
Publisher: Policy Press
ISBN: 1447350561
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 204

Get Book Here

Book Description
The ‘Bedroom Tax’ has been one of the most contentious aspects of the UK government’s austerity politics. In this book, Kelly Bogue provides an authoritative assessment of its social impacts. The Divisive State of Social Policy traces the links between housing resources and societal tensions by looking closely at one housing estate. The book explores issues related to Housing Benefit reform, including housing precarity, poverty and damage to social networks. This is a vivid picture of the sharp end of austerity politics and welfare reform, and it gets to the heart of the meanings of home and community in the UK today.

HC 963 - Appointment of the Pensions Ombudsman abd the Pension Protection Plan Ombudsman

HC 963 - Appointment of the Pensions Ombudsman abd the Pension Protection Plan Ombudsman PDF Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Work and Pensions Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 0215081501
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 28

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 2008, the Liaison Committee and the Government agreed a process for departmental select committees to undertake pre-appointment hearings in which they examine the suitability of the Government's preferred candidate for certain public posts. The purpose is to test the individual's independence and expertise, consider any potential conflicts of interest and explore how the individual intends to undertake the job, including his or her accountability to the Committee. Select committees do not have the power to veto appointments. However, the Minister is expected to consider relevant observations before proceeding with an appointment. The pre-appointment hearing for the posts of Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman (held by the same individual) falls within the remit of the Work and Pensions Committee. On 15 October 2014 the Minister for Pensions informed us that Tony King, the current Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman, would be stepping down in spring 2015.[4] He set out the recruitment exercise that would be followed to select the new Ombudsman and invited us to undertake pre-appointment scrutiny of the preferred candidate, in accordance with the agreed arrangements. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) launched the recruitment process on 29 November 2014. The Minister notified us of the name of the preferred candidate on 3 February 2015. In announcing the selection process, DWP also indicated that a recruitment exercise would be undertaken for the post of Deputy Pensions Ombudsman (and Deputy Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman). This is a part-time role and is not subject to a pre-appointment hearing.

HC 481 - Improving Access to Work for Disabled People

HC 481 - Improving Access to Work for Disabled People PDF Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Work and Pensions Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 0215080858
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 68

Get Book Here

Book Description
Access to Work (AtW) is an important element of specialist employment support for disabled people. It is unique in providing help to people already in, or about to start, mainstream work. It has the potential to be an extremely effective model, helping to address the substantial gap between the employment rate for disabled people and that of the rest of the population. Where it works well, it transforms the lives of disabled people, many of whom would be unable to work without it.There is strong evidence that AtW currently supports only a minority of disabled people whom it might benefit. There is a misperception that the sole purpose of AtW is to provide physical aids, equipment and transport for people with sensory impairments and physical disabilities; consequently relatively few people with other types of disability, and different support needs, currently use the programme. In scaling up the programme DWP needs to address this imbalance. Its priority should be supporting a much greater number of people with mental health problems, and intellectual, cognitive and developmental impairments, including learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. AtW's focus should remain on removing barriers to employment for the full range of disabled people who can benefit from it. DWP should make a strong and evidence-based case to HM Treasury for substantial additional funding for AtW and then aim to increase take-up through much more high profile marketing, and proactive promotion of AtW, including through Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches and contracted employment services providers.

Legislation at Westminster

Legislation at Westminster PDF Author: Meg Russell
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198753829
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 337

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Westminster parliament is a highly visible political institution, and one of its core functions is approving new laws. Yet Britain's legislative process is often seen as executive-dominated, and parliament as relatively weak. As this book shows, such impressions can be misleading. Drawing on the largest study of its kind for more than forty years, Meg Russell and Daniel Gover cast new light on the political dynamics that shape the legislative process. They provide a fascinating account of the passage of twelve government bills - collectively attracting more than 4000 proposed amendments - through both the House of Commons and House of Lords. These include highly contested changes such as Labour's identity cards scheme and the coalition's welfare reforms, alongside other relatively uncontroversial measures. As well as studying the parliamentary record and amendments, the study draws from more than 100 interviews with legislative insiders. Following introductory chapters about the Westminster legislative process, the book focuses on the contribution of distinct parliamentary 'actors', including the government, opposition, backbenchers, select committees, and pressure groups. It considers their behaviour in the legislative process, what they seek to achieve, and crucially how they influence policy decisions. The final chapter reflects on Westminster's influence overall, showing this to be far greater than commonly assumed. Parliamentary influence is asserted in various different ways - ranging from visible amendments to more subtle means of changing government's behaviour. The book's findings make an important contribution to understanding both British politics and the dynamics of legislative bodies more broadly. Its readability and relevance will appeal to both specialists and general readers with interests in politics and law, in the UK and beyond.

Universal Credit Implementation

Universal Credit Implementation PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Work and Pensions Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215050748
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 222

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Universal Credit pilots (Pathfinders) will begin in the north west of England in April 2013 and full national roll-out is due to start in October 2013. The Government has designed a welfare system which should help ease the transition from benefits to work, but significant concerns remain about the potential impact of the changes on some of the most vulnerable benefit claimants, especially the online claims system and the proposed single monthly payment. The Government needs to reflect on its ambitious implementation timetable. Under Universal Credit, payments to cover the costs of rent will go to the benefit claimant, rather than direct to the landlord. This is a major change and the Committee therefore recommends that, during the initial phases of implementation, claimants who currently have their housing costs paid to their landlord should have the option to continue with this arrangement. The Committee also notes that it has not yet received sufficient evidence to satisfy itself that the Government will achieve its stated aim of ensuring more generous support for the disabled. The Government plans to calculate monthly Universal Credit payments by using information taken from data feeds from HMRC's new Real Time Information (RTI) system though there are concerns about that programme. The Committee, further, recognises that there is likely to be a significant increased demand for advice services during the four-year transition to Universal Credit. The report also comments on closely-related policy areas, including: the conditionality and sanctions regime; passported benefits; localisation of council tax support; localisation of the Social Fund