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Church leaders request an apology through the national federal federal government for misrepresenting advantage claimants
On 7 June 2013 an alliance of Churches christians that are representing England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland penned into the Prime Minister requesting an apology with respect to the us government for misrepresenting the indegent. The page highlights three present samples of just exactly exactly how senior people in the us government have given down “misleading and inaccurate details about individuals on benefits”:
The church leaders turn to the Prime Minister to ensure “the record is put directly, and that statistics are no longer manipulated in a real means which stigmatises the poorest within our culture”.
Bishops and Church leaders call on national ministers to apologise can be obtained through the web site of this Methodist Church. Follow this link. For the text regarding the letter view here.
national claims it thinks that housing benefit can continue being compensated to users regarding the most of shelters, despite present Upper Tribunal judgment
Following a Upper Tribunal judgment, in OR v Secretary of State for Perform and Pensions & Isle of Angelsey C.C (HB) [2013] UKUT 65 (AAC), noted into the might 2013 improvement (click the link), where Judge Wright held that a evening shelter isn’t a dwelling which is why housing advantage is payable, the DWP while the Department for Communities and municipality (DCLG) have actually released an email to regional authorities to deal with ‘misunderstandings’ about the part of housing advantage in evening shelters.
The DWP/DCLG note dated 19 June 2013 (just click here) claims that, in the choice the judge managed to get clear that this situation ended up being restricted to a unique facts that are particular claimed expressly that the scenario had not been meant to prescribe exactly just just how housing benefit claims for rough sleepers must certanly be determined, and that -
“there is no unexpected improvement in what the law states:
Which means that simply it correct that all users of evening shelters are actually excluded. because it ended up being never ever correct that all users of night shelters had been immediately eligible for Housing Benefit, neither is’”
To get more information see “Nightshelter upgrade: the legislation hasn’t changed” from the Homeless Link site. View here.
On 13 June 2013 the DWP produced The ‘Households Below Average Income – An analysis associated with earnings circulation 1994/1995 – 2011/2012′ This sets out of the quantity of young ones, working age grownups and pensioners located in households where earnings was lower than 60 percent of median income, and where these are typically hence thought to have now been residing in poverty. The study reveals that general son or daughter poverty continues to be unchanged at 2.3 million (17%) (Before Housing expenses) and 3.5 million (27%) (After Housing expenses).
‘Households Below Average Income – An analysis of this earnings circulation 1994/1995 – 2011/2012′ is available regarding the gov.uk site. Just click here.
Commenting regarding the brand brand new numbers, the kid Poverty Action Group (click on this link) features that absolute son or daughter poverty increased on the exact same duration, and therefore 66 percent of this kids in poverty had been in working households.
CPAG additionally aim away that in 2011-12 working families had been targeted by almost ВЈ1.5 billion of cuts to tax that is working. CPAG chief administrator Alison Garnham stated -
“Despite all of the speak about вЂscroungers’ and generations of families never ever working, today’s poverty numbers reveal comprehensively the misconception that the root cause of poverty is individuals selecting never to work. The fact is that for a growing quantity of families work is not working. The vow that really work could be a path out of poverty is not held as wages stagnate and investing cuts have hurt income that is low families.”
danger that advantage sanctions unfairly penalise most susceptible claimants, state MPs
The Public that is new Accounts report posted on 19 June 2013 – ”Department for Work and Pensions: giving an answer to change in jobcentres’ – expresses concern that there surely is a danger that sanctions unfairly penalise the essential vulnerable claimants:
“Enquiries about sanctions to your people guidance rose by 45 percent from October to December 2012 set alongside the exact same duration in 2011. Numerous enquiries had been from susceptible individuals, including people that have learning problems, whom discovered it hard to comprehend their jobseeker obligations and just why the sanctions have been imposed. Advisers never constantly alert claimants that they could be sanctioned plus the Department acknowledged so it can be tough to impose sanctions consistently. The Department should provide claimants written warning that they might be sanctioned and may monitor and publish the price of sanctions by claimant team and jobcentre.” (from Conclusions and Suggestions).
The Public Accounts Committee report, Department for Perform and Pensions: giving an answer to improvement in jobcentres, can be acquired through the parliament web site. Just click here.
Blanket redesignations of properties for ‘bedroom taxation’ purposes may lead to loss in housing benefit subsidy
Housing Benefit General Suggestions Bulletin HB G6/2013 dated 21 June 2013 reproduces Lord Freud, the Minister for Welfare Reform’s a letter to regional authority chief professionals. Into the page Lord Freud states:
‘In concept my Department doesn’t have objections to re-designating properties where there was cause that is good do this, as an example where home is somewhat adjusted to look after a disabled individuals requirements. But, we would expect the designation of a house become constant for both housing rent and benefit purposes. Blanket redesignations without a definite and justifiable explanation, and without reductions in lease, are improper and don’t fall in the nature regarding the policy.’
Lord Freud cautions:
‘Where it really is discovered that an authority that is local re-designated properties without reasonable grounds and without reducing rents, my Department would give consideration to either restricting or otherwise not having to pay their housing advantage subsidy.’
Housing Benefit General Ideas Bulletin HB G6/2013 can be obtained regarding the DWP web site click the link.
Rents into the sector that is private maybe not dropping in London despite housing advantage reforms
Based on a written report posted on 26 June 2013 by London Councils (a cross-party organization representing all London boroughs) rents within the personal sector are perhaps maybe maybe not dropping in London despite housing benefit reforms capping the total amount of regional housing allowance (LHA). The report, вЂTracking Welfare Reform: The Impact of Housing Benefit Reform in London’ also unearthed that working households account fully for 90 % of this development in LHA receipt in outer London between Jan 2012 and Jan 2013 and LHA households with reliant young ones are fastest growing family members type in external London.
To restrict the stress regarding the London boroughs, London Councils is calling for -
