Launch of a new online service in 2010 that brings together information on a whole range of benefits and entitlements. (paragraph 5.29)
An extra £5 million allocated to fund extended opening hours at Citizens Advice Bureaux in 2010 to 2011. (paragraph 3.77)
Benefit and tax credits rates
Increase of the basic state pension by 2.5 per cent from April 2010. (paragraph 5.19)
Paying part of the expected April 2011 increases in other benefits a year earlier. (paragraph 5.19)
Confirmation that the minimum age at which pensioner benefits (e.g. state pension credit) can be received will increase in line with the female state pension age. (paragraph 5.45)
Free school meals
From September 2010 in England , there will be a phased extension of free school meals to primary school pupils in low income working families with a household income below £16,190 and the extension of the current pilots of universal free school meals for children, so that there is a pilot in each English region. (paragraph 5.31)
Note: Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education has now stated in a letter to the Shadow Secretary, Ed Balls that the planned extension of free meals to low income families has been cancelled.
Housing costs and rent
Freezing of the Standard Interest Rate used to calculate Support for Mortgage Interest at 6.08 per cent for a further six months, to 30 June 2010. (paragraph 5.54)
Postponement of the changes to local housing allowance LHA, which would have meant that claimants would no longer be permitted to receive more in housing benefit than they have to pay in rent, to April 2011. (paragraph 5.16)
National insurance
Employee, employers and self-employed rates of national insurance contributions will increase by 0.5 per cent from April 2011, alongside an increase in the point at which individuals start to pay contributions. (paragraph 2.73)
Tax credits
From April 2011 people aged 65 and over will qualify for working tax credit if they work at least 16 hours a week, rather than the current 30 hours. (paragraph 5.25)
From January 2010 where people who start living together, or separate report these changes late, the overpayment on their previous tax credits award will be reduced by the amount they would have been entitled to receive had they reported the change promptly. (paragraph 5.22)
Unemployment support
From January 2010, 18-24 year olds claiming jobseeker's allowance for six months will be guaranteed a job, work placement or work-related skills training. (paragraph 5.14)
Additional support will be given to help over 50s back into work quickly. (paragraph 5.14)
Introduction of 'Better off in work' credit - claimants who have been receiving benefits for six months will be entitled to a top up payment so that their in-work income is greater than their benefit income. (paragraph 5.15)
Armed Service personnel returning from conflict, including those disabled as a result of their service, will be able to access new funding (£5 million allocated) to help them into self-employment. (paragraph 4.51)
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