Welfare & Pensions Archives

In Focus

Universal credit: motion to annul regulations impacting disabled student claimants

Friday, 10 December, 2021

The Universal Credit (Exceptions to the Requirement not to be receiving Education) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 would provide that to be eligible for universal credit, a disabled student must have a determination of limited capability for work before they start receiving education. The regulations have been met with criticism from several disability rights charities. On 13 December 2021, the House of Lords is due to debate a motion to annul the regulations.
In Focus

Covid-19 pandemic: impact on people with disabilities

Thursday, 18 November, 2021

3 December 2021 is the International Day of People with Disabilities. Edward Scott explores the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on people with disabilities in the UK, including issues concerning access to services and the economic impact of the pandemic. This article also summarises the Government’s recent proposals for reform to benefits and employment support for people with disabilities.
In Focus

Coronavirus: support for widows

Tuesday, 16 November, 2021

Over 165,000 people in the UK have died due to coronavirus or in cases where it was a contributing factor. Many of these people will have left behind partners. This In Focus looks at the support available to coronavirus widows and widowers in advance of a proposed future debate in the House of Lords.
In Focus

Report of the Social Mobility Commission: ‘Social Mobility and the Pandemic’

Tuesday, 09 November, 2021

In July 2021, the Social Mobility Commission published its annual state of the nation report. It warned that the UK has struggled with the “damaging impact” of Covid-19 and as a result social mobility which is “already stagnant” could move backwards. This article considers the findings of the report and the Government’s policy on social mobility.
In Focus

Social care funding: improving the availability of private sector insurance products

Monday, 25 October, 2021

When announcing the introduction of a cap on care costs on 7 September 2021, the Government said that it would also be working with the financial services industry to encourage it to provide more products to help individuals cover their care costs. This In Focus discusses that aim, alongside reaction from the financial services sector and committee commentary on the subject.
In Focus

Cost of living: housing affordability

Friday, 22 October, 2021

This article discusses the potential impact of the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the removal of the temporary uplift to the standard allowance of Universal Credit and the rise in fuel prices on the cost of living and on people’s ability to pay their monthly mortgage and rental payments. It also examines recent commentary on the subject.
Research Briefing

Compensation (London Capital & Finance plc and Fraud Compensation Fund) Bill

Tuesday, 12 October, 2021

The Compensation (London Capital & Finance plc and Fraud Compensation Fund) Bill would make provisions relating to the payment of compensation to eligible customers of London Capital & Finance plc. It would also allow the secretary of state to provide a loan to the Board of the Pension Protection Fund and for that loan to form a part of the funds of the Fraud Compensation Fund. The House of Lords second reading and remaining stages of the bill are scheduled to take place on 19 October 2021.
Research Briefing

Social Security (Up-rating of Benefits) Bill

Wednesday, 06 October, 2021

The bill would allow the Government to set aside the earnings requirement of the triple lock for assessing state pensions increases for the 2022/23 financial year. State pensions would instead be increased by 2.5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is higher. This briefing summarises the background to the bill and the House of Commons stages that were taken on 20 September 2021.
- Research Briefing
- Welfare & Pensions
In Focus

Universal credit: an end to the uplift

Friday, 03 September, 2021

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in March 2020 the Government announced an uplift to universal credit and working tax credits worth £20 a week. Initially planned to last for a year, the policy was extended by six months in the March 2021 budget. In July 2021, the Government confirmed that it would not be extended further. This announcement has been met with widespread criticism.
Research Briefing

Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill [HL]

Thursday, 26 August, 2021

This proposed law seeks to reform pensions across the public sector. It would also make other changes to the rules related to judicial offices. The pension reforms partly respond to a finding of unlawful discrimination in existing schemes and are partly aimed at improving the operation of public sector pensions. The changes relating to judicial offices are intended to improve recruitment and retention in the judiciary.
In Focus

Mental health and universal credit claims

Monday, 16 August, 2021

Universal credit is a benefit paid to over five million households. The ‘digital by default’ system replaces six ‘legacy benefits’ and aims to simplify the benefits system and encourage claimants into work. Concerns have been raised about the complexity of the application process and how this impacts those with mental health needs. The Money and Mental Health Institute recently called for changes to make it simpler to nominate a third party to help claimants.
In Focus

Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021

Friday, 16 July, 2021

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 would make it a requirement for workers in care homes to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus. The Government has said this is important to protect vulnerable residents. The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has been critical of a lack of detail on the implementation of the policy. The Lords is due to debate the regulations on 20 July 2021.
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Economics (July 2021)

Monday, 05 July, 2021

Catch up on developments in economics with a selection of articles you may have missed. This month we take a look at the issue of in-work poverty.
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Social Policy (July 2021)

Monday, 05 July, 2021

Catch up on social affairs with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month look at universal basic income, and the deadline for the EU settlement scheme.
In Focus

Elderly Social Care (Insurance) Bill [HL]

Wednesday, 30 June, 2021

The Elderly Social Care (Insurance) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Lilley (Conservative). The bill would establish a government-owned company to provide insurance against the risk of the policyholder needing elderly social care. The premium would be recouped via a charge on the person’s home at the time of their death or when the home was sold.

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