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supporting people into work: the next stage of housing benefit reform
This consultation sought views to inform Government reforms of Housing Benefit. The closing date for responses was 22 February 2010.
reforming the medical statement - government response to the consultation on draft regulations
From 6 April a new medical 'fit note' replaces the current 'sick note'. This note gives the option of being found unfit for work or being fit for work if certain adjustments are made by an employer. For the regulations see SI 2010/137. Updated 1 February 2010.
caution over national roll out of alternative dispute resolution
New report recommends continuous testing and monitoring before stronger conclusions could be made about potential complete national roll out. Posted 28 January 2010.
esa stats present bleak picture
The latest employment support allowance (ESA) figures provide further evidence that ESA is both a difficult benefit to claim and to win on appeal. Posted 22 January 2010.
free mobile calls when claiming benefits or pensions
From 18 January 2010, there will be free phone calls for most people using their mobiles to claim benefits and pensions. Posted 15 January 2010.
building britain's recovery: achieving full employment
This White Paper, sets out the next stage of the Government's welfare and employment reform. Find out what's in it for disabled people and carers. Posted 15 December 2009.
cab evidence on the first year of employment and support allowance administration
This Citizen's Advice report expresses concerns that the substantial increase in resource made available to Jobcentre Plus in response to the recession has been concentrated on jobseeker's allowance (JSA) and the social fund, resulting in a lack of support for ESA claimants. Posted 8 December 2009.
report identifies three key ways in which the new esa system is failing people with cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support and Citizens Advice have worked together to collate evidence demonstrating the key problems people with cancer are experiencing accessing ESA. Posted 8 December 2009.
new digital future for jobcentre plus
Employment minister Jim Knight outlined a new future for Jobcentre Plus where jobseekers would be able to apply for their benefits, improve their computer skills and look for jobs on line. Posted 3 December 2009.
proposed new benefit system offers little for those with severe disabilities - This report, by the Centre for Social Justice, proposes to reduce unemployment and benefit dependency by replacing the current unwieldy 51 benefit system with a new Universal Credit Scheme but offers no extra help for those unable to work. Posted 16 September 2009.
report recommends cuts in benefits for children, the elderly and the disabled - The Taxpayers' Alliance and the Institute of Directors in a new report have suggested abolishing child benefit and freezing all pensions for a year as part of measures to solve the current financial crisis. Posted 11 September 2009.
public accounts committee finds benefit system does not help carers - The Public Accounts Committee Forty-Second Report finds that benefits for carers are unnecessarily complex and cause confusion. About a fifth of carers who receive benefits have difficulties with some aspect of the application process. Posted 8 September 2009.
tuc calls for an increase in jobseeker's allowance - The TUC has called for an increase in jobseeker's allowance from the present weekly rate of £64.30 to at least £75 a week, to provide more of a cushion for the newly unemployed and stimulate the economy. Posted 3 September 2009.
thirty year benefit study notes improvements in disability benefits provision - This Joseph Rowntree study looks at the impact of taxes and benefits in the years 1979, 1997 and 2008. It analyses changes in tax and benefit policy since the mid-1970s with regard to incapacity benefits, unemployment benefits, pensions, child benefits maternity provision and taxation. Posted 2 September 2009.
simplification guide to best practice
This updated guide, produced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is intended for anyone responsible for designing or implementing a change to the benefits system. Staff should refer to this guide as their first point of reference when considering any benefit changes and confirm that its advice has been followed when submitting a recommendation for change to Ministers. Posted 24 July 2009.
rights and responsibilities in the social security system
This Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) paper provides an overview of the development of rights and responsibilities in the UK social security system and elsewhere, describes current and future policy in the UK , and summarises key evidence on the effectiveness of conditionality and benefit sanctions. Posted 17 July 2009.
department for work and pensions: communicating with customers
This National Audit Office report examines the progress that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made in the production of forms and leaflets as well as online and telephone services. It makes some interesting points about the take up of attendance allowance claims and pension credit. Posted 12 May 2009.
joint committee on human rights fourteenth report of session 2008-09
In the Joint Committee on Human Rights Fourteenth Report of Session 2008-09 it was proposed that compulsory engagement by drug dependent benefit claimants with treatment services should be deleted from the Welfare Reform Bill 2009. Posted 28 April 2009.
supporting carers to care
This National Audit Office Report found that the majority of carers who receive benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are satisfied with the support they receive. However at least a fifth have difficulties in applying for carer's allowance (CA). Many carers also feel that jobcentre plus services were not well suited to their personal circumstance as carers. Posted 4 March 2009.
the social fund: a new approach
This consultation asked for views on a range of proposals to improve the help given give to people through the social fund. The focus of debate was on partnership with third sector organisations such as Credit Unions to deliver the loans to social fund customers as well as financial advice and other financial services. Link to the consultation and the government's response. Posted 23 February 2009.
dwp quarterly statistics
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) quarterly statistical summary aims to give users a structured overview of the National Statistics published by the DWP. Statistics are grouped by component area of DWP and, for each statistic; links are given for users to access more detailed information. Posted 11 February 2009.
spending priorities in the benefits system
This report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) aims to understand citizens' views of the welfare state, particularly how the public feel about different working age benefits for adults. Carers and disabled people who are unable to work were perceived as being the most deserving as they have no choice about the situation they are in. Posted 27 January 2009.
realising potential: a vision for personalised conditionality and support
This independent report, produced for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 2 December 2008, by Professor Paul Gregg recommends a single personalised conditionality and support regime, where virtually everyone claiming benefits and not in work should be looking for or engaging in activity to help them move towards employment. Posted 2 December 2008.
social security advisory committee report expresses concerns about sanctions regime for benefits
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has published its 21st Report, which covers the period from August 2007 to July 2008. The report expresses a number of concerns with regard to benefit sanctions, benefit simplification, accessible information, the use of telephones, pathways to work, new deal for lone parents, benefits for seasonal workers and the third party deduction scheme. Link to detailed summary and the full report. Posted 18 November 2008.
disability Living Allowance - disallowed claims
DWP research report 490 examines the extent to which those applying for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) understand the purpose of the benefit and the qualifying conditions. The findings from this study, culled from interviews with 100 unsuccessful claimants, will be used to design appropriate operational strategies for improving the targeting and efficiency of the claims’ process. Posted 25 July 2008
no one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility
This welfare reform green paper is a wide ranging consultation on the future of welfare. It proposes the abolition of income support and the streamlining of the benefit system based on two benefits, ESA and JSA. The closing date for responses was 22 October 2008. Posted 21 July 2008.
qualitative research exploring the pathways to work sanctions regime
This study sought to explore the role that sanctioning played in decisions about attendance at Work Focused Interviews (WFIs) and subsequent engagement with the programme. Posted 5 January 2008.
review of the disability living allowance advisory board
The report recommends that the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board (DLAAB) should be refocused to offer advice across all benefits. Posted 21 November 2007.
welfare reform
Disability Alliance’s broad policy response to current welfare reform proposals. Posted 5 November 2007.
work and pensions committee seventh report of session 2006-07: benefits simplification
This report concludes the UK benefit system has an "unacceptable level of dysfunctional complexity" which causes considerable operational difficulties and can contribute to financial hardship for claimants. Link to summary, our response and the full document. Posted 27 July 2007.
industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme: review
Following the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) consultation exercise the consultation report is now available. Click on the link for a summary as well as the full report. Posted 2 July 2007.
work and pensions select committee – sixth report on the social fund
The report notes problems with the Social Fund administration and Crisis Loan and Community Care Grants claims in particular. It recommends improvements to training and decision-making and the information supplied to claimants. Posted 7 June 2007.
lyons inquiry into local government
The report reaches a number of conclusions about the role of local government and its relationship with both the local community and national government. It has recommendations regarding council tax and council tax benefit, especially for pensioners. Posted 21 March 2007.
house of commons health select committee report on nhs charges
This report criticises the system of health charges in England, and makes a number of recommendations for change. This page also includes information about and links to the Government response to the Health Committee's Report. Posted 20 October 2006.
prebudget report (december 2009)
Summary of main points and related links. Posted 10 December 2009.
budget report (april 2009)
Summary of main points and related links. Posted 22 April 2009.
prebudget report (november 2008)
Summary of main points and related links. Posted 24 November 2008.
budget report (march 2008)
Summary of main points and links to the report. Posted 12 March 2008.
prebudget report (october 2007)
Summary of main points and related links. Posted 9 October 2007.
budget report (march 2007)
Summary of main points and related links. Posted 21 March 2007.
prebudget report (december 2006)
Summary of main points and related links. Posted 6 December 2006.
budget report (march 2006)
Summary of main points and related links. Posted 22 March 2006.
pre-budget report
Summary of main points and related links. Posted 7 December 2005.
changes to tax credits
Statement by HM Revenue and Customs Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo ( 5 December 2005).
work and pensions committee calls for replacement of the current ‘outdated’ system of benefits for carers
The report recommends the introduction of a two tier system of benefit support for carers as well as changes to the earnings, education and tax credits rules. Posted 29 August 2008.
carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities
The carers' strategy sets out the Government's short-term agenda and long-term vision for the future care and support of carers. Posted 10 June 2008.
hard working families: caring for two or more disabled children (in pdf format)
Disability Alliance has been gathering evidence on the extra costs incurred by families with two or more disabled children, and considering whether income from state benefits is sufficient to cover their needs. Posted 5 April 2005.
family values: disabled parents, extra costs and the benefits system (in pdf format)
This report looks at some of the issues raised directly by disabled parents and considers whether the current benefit system adequately reflects the specific needs of disabled people with parental responsibilities. Posted 5 April 2005.
end child poverty
The End Child Poverty (ECP) coalition, of which Disability Alliance is a member, has produced a ten point charter which calls for political parties to commit to ten radical policies which would take a million children in the UK out of poverty by 2010. Posted 24 January 2005.
the case for social care reform: the wider economic and social benefits
This report was produced by the University of Birmingham 's Health Services Management Centre. It concludes that without a radical rethink of current priorities the real cost of providing social care will double in the next twenty years. It identifies five key mechanisms for reform which may influence future policy. Posted 8 February 2010.
response to the consultation on the revision of the fair access to care services
This report is a summary of the consultation responses. The revised guidance will replace the 2003 Fair Access to Care Services guidance. Posted 21 December 2009.
still room for improvement in adult social care
Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Cynthia Bower, speaking about the CQC statement on the quality of adult social care, expressed concern that many care homes and agencies have more to do to deliver the quality of care expected of them. Posted 3 December 2009.
scottish personal and nursing care statistics - Newly published statistics on the number of people benefiting from free personal care and free nursing care in Scotland and how much Local Authorities spend on personal care services. Posted 24 November 2009.
shaping the future of care together
This Green Paper on the reform of adult social care in England suggests three possible funding options. The closing date for responses was 13 November 2009. Posted 14 July 2009.
fairer contributions guidance
This Department of Health consultation paper examines the extension and revision of the statutory guidance for charging for non-residential social services, the 'Fairer Charging guidance'. The aim of the new guidance is to provide councils with a system for calculating how much users should contribute in cases where they have personal budgets. Responses were required by 19 April 2009. Updated 20 April 2009.
calculating a fair market price for care: A tooklit for residential and nursing homes
Calculating a fair market price for care offers a transparent and evidence-based mechanism for working out what care home fees should be, based on the costs borne by care homes in the financial year 2008/09. Posted 17 September 2008.
charging into poverty?
Rising care charges are putting older and disabled people at risk of not being able to afford to eat, heat their homes, wash or get essential support, says a Coalition on Charging report, published. Posted 5 June 2008.
putting people first: a shared vision and commitment to the transformation of adult social care
This protocol sets out the shared aims and values which will guide the transformation of adult social care to transform people’s experience of local support and services. Posted 11 December 2007.
real change, not short change
Link to Carers UK report, based on a survey of nearly 3,000 carers. It finds that carers face a severe financial penalty as soon as they start caring. This includes having to sell their homes, cut back on food, heating and clothes, give up their jobs, and sacrifice their pensions - leaving many deeply anxious about their financial future. It reveals very clearly that the current benefits system does not allow carers an acceptable standard of living and neither recognises nor values them for the contribution they make to the national economy. Posted 5 June 2007.
review of the independent living funds
On May 3, 2006 Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, announced a review of the Independent Living Funds
(ILFs). This link gives you a summary of the key findings as well as a link to the review itself. Posted March 2007.
costs of care
(Coalition on Charging report) Many disabled and older people, and their carers, are facing hardship as a result of the impact of the Government's fairer charging policy for home care. The Coalition on Charging is an alliance of leading charities campaigning to end charging. Posted 2002.
a fairer local tax for scotland: analysis of consultation responses
The Scottish Government analysis of the consultation, A Fairer Local Tax for Scotland, finds that a majority of Scots think a local income tax is the fairest form of taxation. The Scottish Government intends to publish a Bill to abolish council tax in this Parliamentary year. Posted 24 November 2008.
moving scotland forward
The Scottish Government has included the Council Tax Abolition Bill in its programme for the year ahead. Posted 3 September 2008.
a fairer local tax for scotland
A number of responses to this consultation on abolishing the council tax in Scotland have expressed concerns about how a new tax would affect those on low incomes and disabled people. Link to consultation and responses. Posted 29 July 2008.
evidence review of access to independent advocacy
This Office for Disability Issues research report, presents the findings of an evidence review investigating the costs, benefits and effectiveness of independent advocacy support for disabled people. Posted 2 November 2009.
equality and human rights commission disability committee work programme 2009/10 - This 16 page report puts forward the Committee's priorities for the next year. These reflect the fact that although there has been significant progress in relation to disability rights over the last 15 years deep inequality still persists. Posted 2 October 2009.
the equality bill 2008-2009
The aim of the new Equality Bill is to promote equality, fight discrimination, introduce transparency in the workplace, promote fairness and equality of opportunity; tackle disadvantage and discrimination; and modernise and strengthen our law to make it fit for the challenges that our society faces today and in the future. Posted 29 May 2009.
secretary of state’s reports on the disability equality duty
These reports, by the 11 Secretaries of State, each identify progress towards disability equality made by each Government department and where there are still issues to address. Posted 2 December 2008.
the experiences and expectations of disabled people
A new research report commissioned by the Government shows that whilst progress is being made, disabled people in Britain are still more likely than non-disabled people to experience disadvantage in a variety of areas. Posted 17 July 2008.
disabled people's cost of living
This research, conducted by the Centre for Research in Social Policy with the support of Disability Alliance, presents budget standards for groups of disabled people who have different needs arising from physical or sensory impairments. The link is to a summary of the report but you can also download the full report in pdf format. Posted 28 April 2005.
world class skills: implementing the leitch review of skills in england
Government response to the Leitch report. Published as a companion paper to in work, better off: next steps to full employment. Posted 18 July 2007.
prosperity for all in the global economy - world class skills
The Leitch report. The Government commissioned Sandy Leitch in 2004 to undertake
an independent review of the UK's long term skills needs. The review shows that
the UK must urgently raise achievements at all levels of skills and recommends
that it commit to becoming a world leader in skills by 2020. This means doubling
attainment at most levels of skill. Responsibility for achieving ambitions must
be shared between Government, employers and individuals. Posted 8 March 2007.
fraud, error and other incorrectness in disability living allowance
A Department for Work and Pensions review of disability living allowance states that most overpayments and underpayments were due to claimants failing to notify changes in circumstances rather than from fraud or official error. Posted 15 July 2005.
institute for public policy research (ippr) criticises the government's fuel poverty strategy - In a forthcoming report 'Fuel poverty, where next?' the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) criticises the Government's Fuel Poverty Strategy and suggests a number of steps it should follow. Posted 15 January 2010.
annual report on fuel poverty statistics
This report finds that Fuel poverty amongst vulnerable households for 2007 stood at 3.25m households ( UK ) and 2.3m households ( England ), up 0.5m and 0.4m respectively from 2006. A vulnerable household is one that contains the elderly, children or somebody who is disabled or long term sick. Posted 21 October 2009.
public accounts committee report: the warm front scheme
The Thirty-Ninth Report of the Public Accounts Committee finds that the Warm Front Scheme continues to be poorly targeted despite some changes to the eligibility criteria and fails to help a high proportion of households in fuel poverty. Posted 24 July 2009.
national audit office report: the warm front scheme
This report criticises the Warm Front Scheme for its failure to meet the needs of all those in fuel poverty. It also claims many households are receiving help under the scheme who are either not in fuel poverty or are temporarily in poverty as a result of fluctuating fuel prices. Posted 4 February 2009.
commission launches strategy to protect and promote respect for human rights
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has set out its plan to preserve the rights in the Human Rights Act and to protect and promote respect for human rights principles. Posted 10 November 2009.
responding to human rights judgments
This Paper sets out the Government's position on the implementation of human rights judgments; in doing so, it responds to the recommendations made by the Joint Committee in its most recent report, and a small number of outstanding matters from the preceding report and other correspondence. Posted 29 January 2009.
tackling pensioner poverty
The Work and Pensions Committee Fifth Report: examines ways in which the benefits system meets the Government aim of reducing pensioner poverty. The report has a number of recommendations in relation to disabled pensioners and carers. There is also a link to the Government's response on this page. Updated 5 March 2010.
building a society for all ages
The Government's response to this consultation is now available. Posted 2 February 2010.
ehrc seeks to abolish default retirement age
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a set of proposals for fundamental changes to employment policies to open up more work opportunities for older Britons and address the challenges of an ageing workforce. Posted 25 January 2010.
queen's speech2009
Posted 18 November 2009.
more 'tough love' from the conservatives - Shadow Chancellor George Osborne set out some examples of specific measures that the Government should announce in the Pre-Budget Report later this year in order to start tackling Labour's debt crisis. Posted 6 October 2009.
people on incapacity benefits to be put on back to work programme - David Cameron has put forward a package of measures designed to tackle debt and unemployment should the Conservatives be elected. Posted 5 October 2009.
hospital car park charges to be phased out - Speaking at the 2009 Labour Party Annual Conference Labour's Health Secretary, Andy Burnham has pledged to phase out car parking charges for in-patients over a three year period. Posted 1 October 2009.
gordon brown's speech at the 2009 labour party annual conference - Find out what's in it and what we think about it. Posted 30 September 2009.
queen's speech - november 2007
attendance allowance and disability living allowance (information) bill
This was intended to place a duty on professionals to provide information to terminally ill patients about entitlement to attendance allowance and disability living allowance. The bill has now been dropped.
queen's speech - november 2006
child poverty statistics published
These statistics give information about the proportion of children living in families in receipt of out of work benefits or tax credits where their reported income is less than 60% median income. Posted 22 December 2009.
monitoring poverty and social exclusion in northern ireland 2009
The New Policy Institute has produced its 2009 edition of indicators of poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland , providing a comprehensive analysis of trends. Posted 29 September 2009.
a minimum income standard for northern ireland - This Joseph Rowntree study asks if the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) adopted for Britain could be applied to Northern Ireland and whether it is possible to have a 'UK-wide MIS'. Posted 29 September 2009.
engaging public support for eradicating uk poverty
This Joseph Rowntree paper examines attitudes to poverty, what influences them, and ways to build public support for anti-poverty measures. Posted 24 September 2009.
half the calls to hmrc were not answered - A new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) finds that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) answered only 57 per cent of calls in 2008-09 compared with 71 per cent in the year before and an industry benchmark of over 90 per cent. Posted 15 January 2010.
house of commons transport committee sixth report of session
The House of Commons Transport Committee conducted a short inquiry into the Blue Badge Scheme in order to inform the Disabled Parking reform Strategy which the Government plans to publish in the late Spring. This is the final report. Posted 10 June 2008.
26,540 benefit from access to work
New Access to Work statistics available. Posted 27 January 2010.
dwp evaluation of access to work
Three studies on access to work provision, including that provided by ministerial government departments and as part of individual budgets. Posted 16 December 2009.
building britain's recovery: achieving full employment
This White Paper, sets out the next stage of the Government's welfare and employment reform. Find out what's in it for disabled people and carers. Posted 15 December 2009.
increased support for carers who want to work
The Department for Work and Pensions announced a package of measures designed to enable carers to combine paid work with caring. Posted 7 December 2009.
the work expectations of DLA and IB claimants
These two research reports published by the Department for Work and Pensions look at the work aspirations of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) recipients. Posted 15 July 2009.
dwp working paper 70: electronic medical certificate (emed3) proof of concept evaluation
This is a report of a recent trial of an electronic sickness certification (eMed3) form set up in GP practices in Cardiff and Swansea. The report includes feedback on the eMed3 pilot from GPs participating in the trial, non-participating GPs, Practice Managers, employers and employees in receipt of sick notes. Posted 18 June 2009.
experiences of participants in the pathways to work 'condition management programme'
This 108 page study explores customers' experiences of the Condition Management Programme (CMP). Posted 18 June 2009.
healthy work challenges and opportunities to 2030
This Bupa report explores the implications of trends for the health of the workforce throughout the period to 2030, where levels of disease in the workforce will increase. It advocates greater workplace intervention aimed at supporting workers to change their lifestyle and also in promoting good health through good quality work. Posted 5 May 2009.
helping people achieve their full potential: improving specialist disability employment services
This consultation paper contains proposals to reform the DWP employment services that help disabled people find and keep work. Posted 10 January 2008.
ready for work: full employment in our generation
The government response to the green paper "In work, better off: next steps to full employment" sets out more than 50 changes to the current system of benefits and job-seeking support to be implemented over the next four years. It states that the new Work Capability Assessment will be introduced for existing benefit claimants who are under 25, starting in 2009. Posted 17 December 2007.
in work, better off: next steps to full employment
This Green Paper sets out how the Government aims to move towards full employment, giving everyone the chance to work and contribute to society. Link to summary and full report. Posted 18 July 2007.
reducing dependency, increasing opportunity: options for the future of welfare to work
Link to summary, full report and Disability Alliance position on David Freud's report to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding the Government’s Welfare to Work strategy. The Freud report advocates greater use of the private and voluntary sector to help benefit claimants receive employment support and recommends that lone parents should look for work once their youngest child reaches 12. Posted 8 March 2007.
access to work for disabled people
This report, compiled by the Disability Employment Coalition, seeks to illustrate, using the experiences of disabled people, why the Access to Work scheme (AtW) is so vitally important to improving their employment opportunities (Posted 24 September 2004).
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