Budget 2025 live: Rolling update .... .... live updates on the social welfare law highlights from today's #Budget2025 www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69056

Want to know more about automation in the DWP? Check out @annadent.bsky.social's latest newsletter and consider doing an FOI to add to what we know so far. I'm hoping we can pool our knowledge in the rightsnet forum so as not to duplicate efforts! www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewt...

Apologies ... looks like we're having server problems at the moment .. however we're working on it and hope to be back soon ...

Heartened to see these charities working together to oppose the UC and PIP bill - www.ucpipbill.co.uk

Easy to read breakdown of the proposed changes to UC and PIP that MPs will be voting on soon

TfL has banned what it calls a 'controversial' advert from Save the Children. The ad is part of a campaign calling for the two-child limit on Universal Credit to be scrapped. I kinda 'get' the rationale, but then... ahh no, I don't. Daft decision in my view.

10% reduction in second homes in Scotland following introduction of new Council Tax rules - having intended effect on housing supply issues? www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-... Backstory: www.rightsnet.org.uk/housing/news...

Sad news of another suicide linked to benefit problems www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/62942

I don't envy the DWP staff arranging the Green Paper consultation events 😆 * DWP shares email addresses of event participants www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewt... * Manchester DPAC 'gatecrashed' one of the events bsky.app/profile/mdpa...

Interesting presentation of stats on no. people likely to lose daily living component of PIP under proposed '4 point rule'... tinyurl.com/532mt4sa Another FOI response confirming 87% on standard rate score < 4 points on all activities 13% on enhanced rate score < 4 points in each activity

I'm yet to ascertain what criteria must be met before government departments are compelled to publish algorithms on the Algorithmic Transparency Record www.gov.uk/algorithmic-... - seems piecemeal so far

DWP's abstract of benefit rate stats shows that UC amounts have remained stubbornly below 15% of median income since its inception (with exception of covid top-up) and is worth less now than in 2013, cf state pension - above 20% in same period and rising in value www.gov.uk/government/s...

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

ICYMI - National Audit Office report shows DWP's UC digital project exceeded budget by nearly £1 billion. With report showing that digital projects frequently run over budget, will the gov's AI and tech-drive ultimately save costs? www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Here are some of the things you can already be sanctioned for as a young person claiming universal credit: ~ Not looking for - or taking up- paid work, more paid work or better-paid work ~ Quitting a job ~ Not doing work preparation activities, inc some under the DWP’s existing Youth Offer

Aaaand an ICYMI Employment thread -

Here's my ICYMI Housing thread -

My ICYMI thread on state pension age, which I'll update with developments in due course -

Thanks @kmjones.bsky.social for sharing this recent #ICO decision, ref IC-307422-W5Y0 regarding DWP data holding Key takeaways: Data destroyed • Briefings – internal 1 year • Internal memos 1 year • Meeting papers 1 year And DWP intranet has no record of historic edits #FOI

Random thread of items that give insight into DWP processes:

Digitisation, data and AI in the social security system - a thread of ICYMI tidbits

A qulck reminder of what the benefit cap is. It's the government saying "we've worked out what the mimimum you need to live on is, and we're deliberately going to give you less".

My first ICYMI thread for a while after a busy couple of weeks. Some tidbits that may be of interest to fellow welfare bods:

Some more ICYMI, not-quite-news from @rightsnet.bsky.social

More not-quite-news @rightsnet.bsky.social has picked up, this time re employment:

A bumper crop of ICYMI not-quite-news for @rightsnet.bsky.social from past week or so:

Some more not-quite-news from @rightsnet.bsky.social, little tidbits of interest to welfare bods:

Fair amount of not-quite-news from @rightsnet.bsky.social today - includes some ICYMI from last week:

This is excellent from @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social on the complex interplay of people's social & economic circumstances with their health that underpins rising economic inactivity A compassionate, relational response needed, alongside addressing underlying drivers www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Another instalment of interesting not-quite-news for us @rightsnet.bsky.social -

Legal challenge to winter fuel payment changes - what are its chances, do you think? www.rightsnet.org.uk/welfare-righ...

I seem to recall a report in the last year showing that the proportion of ppl on out-of-work benefits is fairly stable, and suggesting when costs go up, claimants are obliged to claim health elements to make ends meet. Can't seem to find it now... did I imagine it?

News bits not quite in scope for @rightsnet.bsky.social newsletter today -