Latest Articles By Simon Collyer

GOOD RIDDANCE - BrightHouse - the biggest rent-to-own operator in the UK - has collapsed, with administrators now attempting to salvage parts of the business. The weekly payment store sells household products to people in financial hardship...

UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME - Calls have been growing for the government to introduce a Universal Basic Income.  Ian Blackford has criticised the Chancellor’s plans for self-employed people across the UK – warning that the delayed measures simply do...

FREE SCHOOL MEALS - Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and have announced plans to make sure families do not experience hardship as a result of schools closing. Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey said: “We have taken action so that almost 97,000 c...

BENEFITS - Payment dates for Easter are as follows: The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the changes to payment dates for the bank holiday weekend. Easter Sunday will take place on April 12 this year – so Good Friday will be A...

CLAIMANT INFORMATION - Just to be clear. Claimants are asked to apply online as jobcentres limit access. Information for claimants What this means for you: there will be no new reviews or reassessments across all benefits for three months – this incl...

VOLUNTEERING - Essex County Council -  https://essexwelfareservice.org are putting together a tak force to assist people during the coronavirus crisis. You can join up by visiting this website. ABC Comment, have your say below: &n...

HOUSING SUPPORT NORTHERN IRELAND - Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has outlined measures she is putting in place to ensure people continue to have secure accommodation in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Steps include support and assu...

ROUGH SLEEPERS - Landmark step aims to protect people during coronavirus outbreak. In an unprecedented move, the Government has written to local authorities in England asking them to house all people sleeping rough, and those in hostels and nigh...

TENANTS - Government announces radical package of measures to protect renters and landlords affected by coronavirus. The special law passed because of Coronavirus means that from 26 March 2020 landlords will have to give all renters three m...

DISABILITY BENEFITS CONSORTIUM - The DBC have written to the DWP minister Rt. Hon. Thérèse Coffey MP. Below is a copy of the letter. The ABC are members of the Disability Benefits Consortium.     Rt. Hon. Thérèse Coffey MP Secretary of Stat...