Changes to the Benefit system announced today

[leclerc]

As this can be an emotive subject I am going to stick to the basics and if you want to discuss them then perhaps a new thread might be in order in the Lamp Post perhaps.

Q&A about the changes

BBC News - QA: Universal Credit and the benefits overhaul

The government white papers

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk.../7957/7957.pdf

Current list of benefits available to people

BBC News - Benefits explained: A basic guide to entitlements

Direct Gov link to benefits

Benefits and financial support : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits

BBC report on announcement
BBC News - David Cameron sets out Welfare Reform Bill plans

Welfare Reform Bill
Welfare Reform Bill 2011 - DWP

[leclerc]

Re: Changes to the Benefit system announced today

Benefits shake-up to introduce Universal Credits

This is the MSE article with a quote from the unions:
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, says: "Long-term unemployment has doubled not because of a sudden increase in work-shy scroungers, but as an inevitable result of economic policies based on cuts that destroy growth.
Not sure why they have commented in that way since cuts are currently going on and long term unemployed would simply be a term based solely on when the cuts were announced in spending.
"Of course, no welfare support is perfect and a small minority play the system, but just as conjurors divert your attention when doing a trick, today's proposals are based on blaming the jobless for their own unemployment in the hope that voters won't notice the real cause."

[Amethyst]

Re: Changes to the Benefit system announced today

CPAG Press Release: Treasury must not wreck universal credit and poverty progress

Interesting article.

Also seems CPAG are asking for a Judicial Review into HB cuts.

[leclerc]

Re: Changes to the Benefit system announced today

http://www.creditaction.org.uk/asset...or-changes.pdf

Credit action has highlighted 45 changes due to take place in the benefits and welfare system.

[leclerc]

Re: Changes to the Benefit system announced today

April benefit changes


Calender for timetable of changes in benefits system

Benefit Changes

[leclerc]

Re: Changes to the Benefit system announced today

Citizen's advice press release on their concerns about the universal credit(from February)

Citizens Advice outlines its concerns on the new Universal Credit

[di30]

Re: Changes to the Benefit system announced today

My son who is now 16 has DLA, High Rate Care and Low Rate Mobility, he have been receiving the same rate since he was 12 and will be due for review just before his 18 birthday.
I understand there are going to be changes but we cannot take austism away, and he is not going to change and will always depend on others for help and support, this is day and night, so for ones in this position where does it leave them?

Great thread by the way Leclerc.

Just came across this as well.
http://www.autism.org.uk/news-and-ev...allowance.aspx