Welfare Rights Bulletin articles

Edward Graham explains the main features of the new rules that come into force on 22 October 2012 changing the sanctions regime for jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) claimants.

David Simmons examines the proposal to make universal credit a monthly benefit.

Simon Osborne considers prospects for reform and other change to the work capability assessment.

CPAG challenged the government’s approach to the Child Poverty Act in the High Court, and achieved a declaration that it had acted unlawfully (R (CPAG) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Secretary of State for Education. Sarah Clarke explains the history to the case.

CPAG published a new report at the end of June, looking at the opportunities and risks around the localisation of the social fund in London. Kate Bell, London campaign co-ordinator at CPAG, explains how some local authorities are planning for the abolition of the discretionary social fund next year, and what ideas are forming as to what should take its place.

Sarah Clarke considers the position.

Martin Williams discusses the legal and practical issues involved in challenging decisions which impose a sanction on JSA for failure to participate in the Work Programme.

Simon Osborne describes recent developments concerning the introduction, main rules and claims and payments arrangements of universal credit.

This article is an update on ‘Disability and discrimination: a case for special treatment' in Bulletin 226. That article discussed the arguments put forward in the case of Burnip v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. In this article we consider the Court of Appeal’s decision in Burnip and the joined cases of Trengove and Gorry.

Simon Osborne rounds up some of the questions being posed about the detailed working of the time-limiting of contributory employment and support allowance (ESA).