What is the evidence on the impact of the benefit cap on children and families in poverty? In particular, how do high housing costs affect experiences of the cap and people's ability to escape it? And why is it so important that the government scraps the policy?
This final report outlines the issues relating to managed migration as the DWP has begun sending migration notices to claimants with much lower incomes and who are likely to be more vulnerable. It highlights how the support offered can be improved to ensure that those facing the greatest barriers are able to make and sustain a UC claim. Lastly, is looks at the experiences of people who have completed the move to UC to highlight how UC can work better for everyone claiming.
This short report looks at the challenges facing schools when implementing a means-tested school meal system, and the debt families are incurring for school meals in primary schools across England.
This briefing shows how the benefit cap is contributing to homelessness, as families are trapped in refuges and other forms of temporary accommodation and are unable to move on to secure and affordable homes.
Our social security system, like our NHS, should be there for us all, especially those who need it most. It needs updating, so it works in today’s world. By the time it is fully rolled out, half of all children in the UK will live in a household claiming universal credit (UC). With some financial investment and operational changes, UC can be the safety net that families need.
Between now and the end of 2025, thousands of constituents will have their existing benefit payments switched off and replaced with universal credit. The process involves several hurdles; in the worst-case scenario, a family could be left without any income at all. This briefing explains how the process works, issues constituents are likely to face, and how MPs can carry out effective casework on this topic.
The DWP sensibly began rolling out managed migration to tax credit-only claimants, who have simpler benefit entitlements to calculate, are more likely to have savings to draw on and less likely to be vulnerable. Now it is proceeding to a much more complex and vulnerable claimant group. With the self-imposed tax credit deadline looming, if the DWP does not act now, it appears the more vulnerable claimants will be at the greatest risk of falling victim to a sprint finish.
