Latest Articles By Simon Collyer

Universal Credit has replaced a range of existing benefits, including housing benefit. But critics of UC say it could drive people into debt because they must wait six weeks for their first payment. It's already available to single people who wo...

MPs have warned HMRC’s attempts at modernising amount to a ‘precarious high-wire act’ that threatens welfare claimants. A report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) published today warns HM Revenue & Customs has t...

2018 is set to be a difficult year for low-income households, as average price inflation for the UK stands at its highest since April 2012. But it’s not just price inflation that’s hitting low-income families hard, says Laurie Heykoop. Fo...

Policy in Practise have produced this useful UC Roadmap.  More than a million calls to Universal Credit helpline have gone unanswered in the past year. New figures uncovered by a Labour MP said the sheer number of calls going without answer coul...

Work and Pensions Committee Wednesday 10 January 2018 Meeting starts at 9.30am Agenda Subject: Support for carers Witnesses: Emily Holzhausen OBE, Carers UK, Sarah Jackson OBE, Chief Executive, Working Families, and Moira Wilkinson, Network Mana...

This week, Plaid Cymru will hold a debate in the National Assembly to urge the Welsh Government to change the ‘priority need’ system so that there is a duty to secure safe accommodation for all homeless people. This would be part of a mov...

Government changes to Universal Credit which will make it easier for direct payments to be made to landlords have been welcomed by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirm...

Justine Greening has resigned from the government after refusing a job as work and pensions secretary in Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle. In her resignation statement she said: "Social mobility matters to me and our country more than a ministerial ca...

The Conservative's roll out of Universal Credit risks driving up homelessness, Stephen Lloyd, Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson, will warn in his Westminster Hall debate this morning. Lloyd is leading calls for the reform ...

Tatton MP Esther McVey has been appointed as the new secretary of state for work and pensions, Downing Street has confirmed. McVey is the first new female cabinet minister announced since Theresa May started her January reshuffle and she is an e...