Social housing providers still need more support to tackle planning delay
Jonathan Pearson warns the country’s 'slow and cumbersome' planning process is currently preventing local authorities from adequately responding to housing need.
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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). |
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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’. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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’. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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’. |
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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. |
Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.
Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.
Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.
