2008

  The Unit jointly ran a take-up campaign in Woking and Runnymede boroughs last Summer alongside.  Read about how all the partners developed a model and brand for Can You Claim It?

2007

  The Department of Health has published its National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS funded Nursing Care (224KB)

  You can read here a recently published report on voluntary work and the national minimum wage published by the DTI.

  As part of the current Benefit Simplification project Citizens Advice have produced an evidence report to the Work and Pensions Select Committee.  Read it here.

2006

  Read the recently published Welfare Reform Bill (366KB) and the draft regulations due for implementation in 2008.  This reform abolishes Incapacity Benefit for new claimants, rolls out the Pathways to Work programme and makes changes to Local Housing Allowances and other miscellaneous Social Security amendments.  

Alongside the Welfare Reform Bill, the Personal Capability Assessment will also be overhauled.  Pilots have been announced to test a new model assessment.  You can download "Transformation of the Personal Capability Assessment" here. (291KB)

  If you are interested in reading how well the Pathways to Work pilots have worked so far, an interim report on behalf of the DWP has been produced. (459KB)

  Another initiative within the DWP is the Benefit Simplification Unit project.  A short report describing the goals for the project are contained in the "Guide to Best Practice" which is intended for any policy makers within Government who have responsibility for creating or amending social security law.  The Unit is also externally consulting stakeholders and has secondees from the voluntary sector working with them. 

  Read the latest poverty statistics in the Social Exclusion Report 2006 (1251KB)

  Her Majesty's Revenues and Customs have produced a brief guidance summary concerning Cross-Year Recovery of Tax Credits overpayments.  ie when you have an overpayment in one year and entitlement in the next.

  Read the National Audit Office report on how to improve take up of benefits with older people and improve poverty in old age.  Tackling Pensioner Poverty. (1038KB)

  Read Age Concern's report on pensioner poverty Just Above the Breadline.  (641Kb)

  Read the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's new report on ending inqualities for older people - A Sure Start to Later Life (1618kb)

2005

Read the National Statistics summary report "Focus on social inequalities" here - August 2005 (227KB)