Majority Of Social Landlords Say Welfare Policy Harms Homelessness Work

The vast majority of councils and housing associations believe government welfare policy is hitting their efforts to tackle homelessness, according to new research. That research, by the CIH and the University of Sheffield, reveals 84% of the 106 councils and 70% of the 50 housing associations – which run 39% of the total housing association stock in England) surveyed – believe welfare policies like the lower benefit cap are impacting negatively on work to tackle homelessness. Nearly half of the housing associations surveyed during the research, conducted as part of the Crook Public Service Fellowship, said households being unable to pay their rent due to limited welfare assistance was one of the main reasons they had to refuse a nomination. Download the report from the CIH website.

Scotland To Abolish 'Bedroom Tax'

The Scottish government are aiming to abolish the bedroom tax. A new piece of legislation, called the Social Security Bill, will be introduced by the government to combat the effects of welfare policy. Nicola Sturgeon also outlined she would be introducing a bill looking to end Child Poverty, something that has been widely welcomed. However, Scottish Conservatives wanted her to announce a commitment to ensure everyone in Scotland lives in a warm home. Read more on 24dash.

Research To Examine Impact Of The ‘Bedroom Tax’ On Children And Their Education

In the first piece of research to examine the impact of the controversial welfare policy on children and their education, the University of Manchester found that the introduction of the so-called ‘bedroom tax’, alongside other cuts in benefits, was having an adverse effect on pupils’ ability to learn and concentrate, with the emotional distress caused by poverty taking its toll on schoolwork. It also found that forcing children to share bedrooms – required under the government changes which reduce housing benefit for those judged to have ‘spare rooms’- was having a negative impact on schooling by leaving youngsters without a quiet place for homework or undisturbed sleep. It also made afterschool and extra-curricular activities or playdates with friends unaffordable to some parents. Download the report from the University of Manchester website.

How Coalition Has Helped Rich by Hitting Poor

A study of the coalition’s tax and welfare policies reveals how money has been transferred from the poorest to the better off, apparently refuting the chancellor of the exchequer’s claims that the country has been “all in it together”. According to independent research, George Osborne has been engaged in a significant transfer of income from the least well-off half of the population to the more affluent in the past four years. Those with the lowest incomes have been hit hardest. The report also claims that the transfer of funds from the poorest half of the country to the more affluent did not contribute to deficit reduction. It says: “The revenue gains from some tax changes and benefit cuts were offset by the cost of tax reductions, particularly the increase in the income tax personal allowance.” Read more on the Observer website.

Lib Dems Expand Criticisms of Coalition Welfare Policies

The Liberal Democrats are to broaden their criticisms of the coalition's welfare policies by admitting that benefit sanctions are hitting those most in need of support. The attack on benefit sanctions is included in a motion due to be debated at the party's autumn conference, and will raise questions about the extent to which they have been calling for changes internally at the DWP. It also calls for a review of universal credit implementation to address poor administration, information management and data quality issues as well as cliff edges that may disincentivise increased working hours, or leave insufficient childcare or other basic needs support. Read more on the Observer website.

Labour Could Link Housing To Employment

The Labour Party is looking to overhaul its welfare policies to link benefit payments and access to social housing to the contribution people make to society.  The party is looking at a system under which claimants receive higher benefit payments if they have been employed for longer, and have therefore paid more in national insurance.  The contributory principle, under which people pay into the system and then receive benefits when they are in need, was at the centre of the Beveridge report, which inspired the formation of social security after the Second World War.  Read more on Inside Housing.