*Job opportunity* We're looking for someone to lead our strategic legal work, using legal cases to benefit families and children in poverty. Please share with anyone who might be interested: cpag.org.uk/jobs/current...

The Strasbourg court has found NO VIOLATION of the Convention in the benefits cap challenge: hudoc.echr.coe.int?i=001-249132

Council admits discrimination after DWP ‘migration’ left disabled couple with £1,500 tax bill #DWP #CouncilTax #UniversalCredit @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social www.disabilitynewsservice.com/council-admi...

In a judicial review claim brought against Three Rivers District Council by two of its residents, the High Court on Monday declared that the local authority’s scheme for calculating low income residents’ council tax liability unlawfully discriminated against them. gcnchambers.co.uk/three-rivers...

Disabled Somerset resident granted permission to challenge council tax reduction scheme in High Court @leigh-day.bsky.social www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69654

New Year Pop Quiz: Which of the 6 million + people with EU Settlement Scheme status has documentary confirmation that they are residing on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement? Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?

The Supreme Court has allowed DWP's appeal in Jwanczuk. As well as addressing ECHR discrimination issues, it gives guidance on how courts in one part of the UK should approach judgments from courts in other parts on legislation of common application caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/uksc/2025/42

Our next conference will be in the beautiful city of York on Fri 5th December. Hosted by the Welfare Benefits Unit. Free for members only. nawra.org.uk/join

In AP v SSWP [2025] UKUT 330 (AAC) UT comments on common practice of DWP decision makers in Universal Credit of stating a claimant is not entitled to seek mandatory reconsideration of a decision because it is "policy" (typically that happens when challenge involves interpretation of a rule) (1 of 5)

The Upper Tribunal has clarified jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal in cases involving late applications for revision & appeals following “any time” grounds in TR and GD v SSWP [2025] UKUT 332 (AAC). Paul Skinner was involved in the case. More: ow.ly/JgBf50XjzLa

In the Upper Tribunal next week, GCN's @tomroyston.bsky.social is representing ex-England football captain David Watson in his legal fight for Alzheimer's and CTE to be recognised as industrial diseases. www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...

Garden Court North's @tomroyston.bsky.social represented the two women, who earlier today won their High Court judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful and discriminatory tax reduction scheme, which left them and many other residents with massive bills. gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...

Really important High Court decision today, quashing a local authority’s council tax reduction scheme. The judgment contains many lessons about these schemes. Trafford's scheme was ultra vires, irrational, and unlawfully discriminatory, and breached the PSED @rightsnet.org.uk @nawra.bsky.social

The Court of Appeal gave permission to appeal in this case on 15 September 2025. Full hearing probably later this year/early next.

For the latest news and ideas from the front line in social welfare law, Garden Court North Chambers is now on Bluesky @gcnchambers.bsky.social - follow now, while stocks last!

High Court today dismisses judicial review challenge to operation of the 'rape clause' in the two child limit. Exempting non-consensually conceived children if they are born third or later, but not if they are born first or second, is lawful. Claimants seeking permission to appeal.

Proposed disability benefit changes would decrease number of people exempted from benefit cap. End of two child limit, if it happens (+any annual benefit rate increases) would increase number affected by benefit cap. In combination, could make benefit cap a *lot* more significant in years to come

We're in the Court of Appeal today - defending EU citizens' rights to live with dignity. 👩🏾‍⚖️ This case is about achieving equal welfare access for people with pre-settled status - with no unfair barriers. www.crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citi...

Are the EU free movement rules wildly out of step with the new realities of work? My new book, the MARKET CITIZENSHIP ILLUSION answers this by looking at the law in action – and it is available now to *everyone for free*! www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do... 🧵on key arguments... (1/10)

Come and join us for our 50th anniversary summit and celebration. Link below.

DWP figures in response to FOI request indicate 87% of claimants currently receiving PIP daily living component at standard rate, and 13% of claimants receiving enhanced rate are likely to lose their entitlement if “score 4” changes go ahead. That means virtually everyone on standard rate PIP.

Admin Court today: claimant challenges the DWP’s refusal to pay Universal Credit using common law powers, after supporting his child’s cancer treatment abroad. Raises key questions about state discretion & welfare. @jogilvieharris.bsky.social is instructed by North West London Law Centres.

Amending regs to the legal aid Remuneration regs now out and take effect from 1 May 2025. Reintroduces an escape fee for Welfare Benefits legal aid casework. Very pleased to have played a role in bringing about this change. www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/41...

Extraordinary use of statistics. DWP might as well claim their proposals will massively improve child mortality because they have decided not to proceed with Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. The ‘previous Conservative plans’ are not in effect, are not law, and the Conservatives are not in power!

How many UK Supreme Court judges do you think ever acted as lawyers for a claimant in a social security case? ZERO. *Extremely nervous* to announce this rather bolshy ('somewhat contentious' and 'robust in tone') piece in the JSSL. I argue there is a 'professional diversity deficit' in UKSC, AND...

The other way to look at the proposal to time limit all working age contributory benefit is that it would not just weaken but *completely abolish* what has for many years been (after retirement pension) the second most important part of the state contributory benefit system.

One of the joys of the LALYs is being able to celebrate coalface legal aid lawyers who have never previously received (or sought) recognition. If you know one of those, do make a nomination (deadline 22 April). All the info you need is here: lapg.co.uk/wp-content/u...

Homelessness Code of Guidance updated to reflect the Court of Appeal’s judgment in AT More: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61425

The article below reports DWP's policy response to the R (Roberts) v SSWP case from earlier this year. It looks like DWP now accept they will need to ask claimants' views about deductions before making them

Great result by @cpaguk.bsky.social in the Upper Tribunal on universal credit transitional protection More info: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61249

DWP to SSAC: ‘Given the [Clifford] judgment, the draft regulations which would have delivered the WCA descriptor changes will be withdrawn by the Department. Therefore… we consider this to be the conclusion of SSAC’s scrutiny of the draft regulations.’

Update on judicial review brought by Osbornes challenging legal aid rates for Welfare Benefits legal help work. We have been successful!

My @guardian story: DWP "Computer says Yes" program that allows landlord to deduct hundreds of pounds from tenants’ universal credit without checking with the claimant ruled illegal by the courts. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Article about this UC deductions case, in the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Great outcome in @tomroyston.bsky.social's case challenging unilateral application of UC deductions for ongoing rent and rent arrears. It'll be interesting to see how the DWP adjusts its processes in response

R (Roberts) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] EWHC 51 (Admin) (16 January 2025): High Court (Fordham J) decides that the Government’s system of making deductions from benefit claimants’ Universal Credit for rent is unlawful.

NEW: The DWP consultation into plans to slash billions of pounds from disability benefits has been ruled unlawful in a damning High Court ruling. Mr Justice Calver repeatedly described the consultation held in autumn 2023 as “misleading”, “rushed” and “unfair” www.bigissue.com/news/social-...

R (Clifford) v SSWP [2025] EWHC (Admin) decides today that the 2023 WCA consultation, run by the Department for Work and Pensions, was unlawful.