Universal Credit Inquiry

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into the economics of Universal Credit. The committee will examine whether Universal Credit is meeting its original objectives and whether the policy assumptions reflected in its design are appropriate for different groups of claimants. It will also examine the extent to which Universal Credit meets the needs of claimants in today’s labour market and changing world of work. Read more on the RLA website.

https://news.rla.org.uk/today-in-politics-universal-credit-inquiry-and-rla-research/

Housing For Older People Inquiry

The newly appointed Commons CLG Committee will continue the work of its predecessor on housing for older people in England. Renewed, the inquiry will examine whether the housing on offer for this group of people is sufficiently available and suitable for their needs and, in doing so, consider how older people wish to live. The committee will take into account the context of significant housing shortages, rising numbers of older people and pressures on health and social care – with public evidence sessions set to start next month. Read more on 24housing.

MPs Launch Official Inquiry Into Universal Credit

MPs have launched an official inquiry into universal credit amid growing concerns that design flaws in the new benefits system are leaving thousands of low-income claimants facing eviction and reliant on food banks. The Commons work and pensions committee said it was compelled to launch a full investigation after mounting evidence that built-in payment delays and administrative blockages were creating severe problems for claimants and landlords. An investigation this month found widespread evidence that thousands of tenants on universal credit were running up rent arrears and debts because they could not manage the minimum 42-day wait for a first payment. Read more on the Parliament website.

Chronic Lack Of Accessible Housing Prompts Inquiry

A major new inquiry will investigate the chronic lack of accessible and adaptable housing available for disabled people in Britain. Following research which found that approximately 1.8 million disabled people require suitable housing and approximately 300,000 do not have the adaptations they need in their existing homes, the Equality and Human Right Commission will investigate the provision of accessible and adaptable housing, and the effect it has on disabled people’s right to live independently. The terms of reference for the inquiry have been published today, while calls for evidence will begin in early January. The inquiry will report in early 2018. Read more on the EHRC website.

CLG Select Committee Inquiry Into Homelessness

The CLG Select Committee of MPs has announced an inquiry into the causes of homelessness and the measures taken by national and local governments to prevent and respond to it. The Committee has called for written evidence to be submitted by 8 February. Read more on the ARCH website.

Hopkins and Freud Face Commons Inquiry into Housing Costs

Housing Minister Kris Hopkins and Lord Freud have been called to give evidence to a House of Commons inquiry into housing costs on 12 February. The Work and Pensions select committee will question the minister on a range of subjects including:

• How the government intends to support vulnerable people affected by the bedroom tax and the benefit cap

• Government plans to ensure all supported accommodation is exempt from the bedroom tax and the benefit cap

• Affordability of suitable accommodation in the private sector for housing benefit claimants

• Discretionary housing payment allocations and sufficiency of funds in the future

Read more on 24dash.

MPs Vote for Inquiry into Impact of Benefit Cuts

MPs have voted for an inquiry into the impact of Government benefit cuts. A cross-party motion calling for a proper assessment of the effects of slashing welfare payments was passed by a majority of 123 after coalition MPs boycotted the vote. Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Ashworth said the 125 to two result was a fresh evidence that the Government was a "shambles". Ministers will be desperate to ignore the result but it will fuel demands for the Tory-led coalition to properly investigate what is happening to the poor and vulnerable. Read more on the Daily Mirror website.