The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a legal challenge to block the publication of a series of reports into Universal Credit. Between 2012 and 2015 five Project Assessment Reviews (PAR) were carried out into the new benefit by the government's Major Projects Authority (now known as the Infrastructure and Projects Authority). Copies of the reports produced as a result of those assessments were requested in a Freedom of Information request from the campaigner John Slater. However, the department has repeatedly refused to release them. In August, after a complaint from Slater, the Information Commissioner's Office ruled that the reports must be disclosed. In a decision notice, the commissioner said: "The reports provide a much greater insight than any information already available about the UCP [Universal Credit programme], there are strong arguments for transparency and accountability for a programme which may affect 11 million UK citizens and process billions of … [Read more...] about DWP fights to block publication of Universal Credit docs
Universal credit
DWP quietly drops Universal Credit child poverty forecast
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has quietly dropped its estimates of how many children will be lifted out of poverty because of Universal Credit. A white paper from 2010, which set out the government's plans for the new programme, suggested it could lift 350,000 children out of poverty. In 2013, a written answer to Conservative MP Chris Skidmore from then DWP minister Esther McVey showed that that estimate had been downgraded to 150,000. "Before taking account of any expected behavioural change among the self-employed affected, modelling estimates that universal credit reduces the number of individuals in relative income poverty by some 400,000; including more than 150,000 children," McVey said. When asked again in 2016, this time by Labour MP Stephen Timms, the department failed to provide any figure at all, instead Timms was told that the government is "committed to eliminating child poverty". Later that year, former work and pensions secretary and architect of … [Read more...] about DWP quietly drops Universal Credit child poverty forecast
Easter 2018 benefit payments – when are tax credits, child benefits, Universal Credit, ESA and JSA paid over the bank holiday period?
THE Easter holidays are fast approaching - giving us Brits a long weekend full of chocolate treats to look forward to. But you may also be expecting benefit payments. Here's everything you need to know. When are my benefits normally paid? Here's what you need to know... Basic State Pension: Every four weeks. The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance (NI) number. Child Benefit: Every four weeks normally on a Monday or Tuesday. Weekly payments are made to single parents, or those who receive other benefits such as Income Support. Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are slowly replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) benefits. Both benefits are paid every four weeks. Jobseeker's Allowance: Every two weeks. Pension Credit: Every four weeks. Tax Credits: Every week or every four weeks, depending on your preference. Universal Credit: Once a month. Attendance Allowance: Every four weeks. Carer's Allowance: Weekly in advance, or every four to 13 weeks. … [Read more...] about Easter 2018 benefit payments – when are tax credits, child benefits, Universal Credit, ESA and JSA paid over the bank holiday period?
Easter 2018 benefit payments – when are tax credits, child benefits, ESA, Universal Credit, and JSA paid over the bank holiday period?
THE Easter holidays are fast approaching - giving us Brits a long weekend full of chocolate treats to look forward to. But you may also be expecting benefit payments. Here's everything you need to know. When are my benefits normally paid? Here's what you need to know... Basic State Pension: Every four weeks. The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance (NI) number. Child Benefit: Every four weeks normally on a Monday or Tuesday. Weekly payments are made to single parents, or those who receive other benefits such as Income Support. Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are slowly replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) benefits. Both benefits are paid every four weeks. Jobseeker's Allowance: Every two weeks. Pension Credit: Every four weeks. Tax Credits: Every week or every four weeks, depending on your preference. Universal Credit: Once a month. Attendance Allowance: Every four weeks. Carer's Allowance: Weekly in advance, or every four to 13 weeks. … [Read more...] about Easter 2018 benefit payments – when are tax credits, child benefits, ESA, Universal Credit, and JSA paid over the bank holiday period?
Easter 2018 benefit payments – when are tax credits, child benefits, ESA, Universal Credit, and JSA paid over the bank holiday?
THE Easter holidays are fast approaching - giving us Brits a long weekend full of chocolate treats to look forward to. But you may also be expecting benefit payments. Here's everything you need to know. When are my benefits normally paid? Here's what you need to know... Basic State Pension: Every four weeks. The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance (NI) number. Child Benefit: Every four weeks normally on a Monday or Tuesday. Weekly payments are made to single parents, or those who receive other benefits such as Income Support. Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are slowly replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) benefits. Both benefits are paid every four weeks. Jobseeker's Allowance: Every two weeks. Pension Credit: Every four weeks. Tax Credits: Every week or every four weeks, depending on your preference. Universal Credit: Once a month. Attendance Allowance: Every four weeks. Carer's Allowance: Weekly in advance, or every four to 13 weeks. … [Read more...] about Easter 2018 benefit payments – when are tax credits, child benefits, ESA, Universal Credit, and JSA paid over the bank holiday?