Welfare reform | LocalGov

Seven in 10 councils struggling amid cost of living crisis

03/10/2023

Seven in 10 councils are struggling to support people hit by the cost of living crisis, according to new research published today.

Call to simplify devolved-benefits in Wales

28/07/2022

A new report has called on the Welsh Government to simplify the benefit system to help more people during the cost of living crisis.

Benefit reforms could lead to 'poorer health' campaigners warn

27/01/2022

Plans to reform Universal Credit to move half a million people into jobs by the end of June could lead to poorer health, a charity has warned.

Calls for urgent reform of UK’s welfare system

24/01/2022

The UK’s social security system is failing to protect low-income families from extreme hardship and urgently needs reforming, researchers have warned.

Think tank calls for 'fairer' welfare system

20/09/2021

The welfare system should reintroduce a clear link between contribution and reward, according to the results of a three-year research programme.

Lords call for reform of 'failing' Universal Credit system

31/07/2020

A Lords committee has urged the Government to substantially reform Universal Credit to protect the most vulnerable.

London boroughs face £23m rent arrears due to Universal Credit

22/07/2020

The rollout of Universal Credit is leading to thousands of council tenants falling behind on rent payments, new research commissioned by London Councils has found.

ADCS president calls for welfare overhaul

08/07/2020

The impact of the pandemic on children’s futures must not be underestimated, the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has said.

Study finds 64,000 UC recipients suffer ‘psychological distress’

02/03/2020

New research has found that tens of thousands of people have experienced ‘psychological distress’ due to the introduction of Universal Credit (UC).

Welfare reform drives ‘sofa surfing’, council chiefs warn

23/12/2019

Council leaders have called on the Government to adapt welfare reforms as research finds changes to the benefits system have been a driver of ‘sofa surfing’.

Council chiefs call for welfare reform to tackle homelessness

19/12/2019

Local authority leaders have called on the new Government to adapt welfare reforms so that they protect families at risk of becoming homeless.

Universal Credit drives food bank use, charity says

19/09/2019

A report from the main provider of food banks has warned that the roll out of Universal Credit has been a major factor behind the increase in food bank use.

Universal Credit driving tenants into rent arrears, study says

23/08/2019

Universal Credit is causing tenants to fall behind in their rent, new research from a group representing landlords has revealed.

Nearly 600,000 children affected by two-child limit on benefits

01/08/2019

Campaigners have called on the Government to lift the 'two child limit' for payment of benefits to families.

Universal Credit should come with ‘health warning’, MPs say

23/07/2019

The Department for Work and Pensions should develop ‘clear and comprehensive guidance’ on when a benefit claimant is to be moved onto Universal Credit, MPs have said.

Housing association calls for an end to the 5-week wait for UC payments

26/06/2019

Housing association called for an end to the 5-week wait for Universal Credit payments after survey revealed two fifths of claimants forced to use food banks.

Whitehall blasted for trying to solve homelessness ‘on a shoestring’

20/06/2019

An assessment of the state of homelessness prevention has criticised Whitehall for trying to solve the homelessness crisis ‘on a shoestring’.

Welfare reforms put pressure on struggling families, report warns

13/05/2019

A new study looking at the impact of welfare reforms on child vulnerability has found that a quarter of children in low income families are unable to make ends meet.

MPs to investigate link between Universal Credit and ‘survival sex’

19/03/2019

Reports that increasing numbers of people are being forced to exchange sex to meet basic needs due to welfare reforms are to be investigated by MPs.

MPs warn eight out of ten households unable to escape ‘cruel’ benefit cap

12/03/2019

More than eight out of ten households affected by the benefit cap should be exempt from the ‘cruel’ policy, MPs have said today.

Think tank recommends ‘helping hand’ payments for UC claimants

11/03/2019

Universal Credit claimants should receive an upfront ‘helping hand’ payment and financial compensation for late payments, think tank says.

Rudd delays Universal Credit rollout

07/01/2019

Work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd has delayed the next phase of the Universal Credit (UC) rollout amid ongoing concerns over the controversial system.

Universal Credit bad for people's health - academics

15/11/2018

Universal Credit (UC) is bad for health and wellbeing, academics have found in a new study commissioned by Gateshead MBC.

Universal Credit ‘retrograde’ step in tackling domestic abuse

22/10/2018

Single household payments under UC are a ‘retrograde’ step which makes it difficult for victims of domestic violence to escape their abuser, according to MPs.

Universal Credit could increase risk of domestic violence, MPs warn

01/08/2018

Paying the Universal Credit benefit to a household rather than individuals could increase the risk of domestic violence, MPs have warned.

Minister claims UC claimants ‘happy with service’ despite criticisms

22/06/2018

A minister has defended Universal Credit against damning criticism from auditors, describing it as ‘an agile, adaptable system, fit for the 21st century’.

DWP under fire over Universal Credit

14/06/2018

Auditors have heavily criticised the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the design and implementation of Universal Credit.

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
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