Bedroom Tax: Savings Likely To Be '£160m Less Than Official Projections'

The government faced fresh calls to overhaul the unpopular bedroom tax after research into the first five months of the scheme suggested ministers may have significantly overestimated the savings it is likely to generate. The analysis – which ran real data collected by four housing associations since April through a model used in 2012 by the DWP to assess the likely impact of the policy – found that savings were likely to be £160m less than the official projections of £480m for the first year. But employment minister Esther McVey dismissed the findings, which she claimed reflected the housing associations' "vested interests". Read more on the Guardian website.

Firms Unaware Of the Biggest Change to PAYE For 60 Years

A Federation of Small Businesses survey has revealed that only two fifths of its members who employ staff are aware of the Real Time Information programme - the new way of reporting PAYE to HMRC that employers must introduce from April 2013. The new system is essential so that the DWP can calculate Universal Credit payments for claimants without needing everyone to enter those details themselves. With less than six months to go until businesses have to comply with the new rules, more than 60 per cent of firms have not had any communication from HMRC about the changes.  Read more on the FSB website.