The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is refusing to say which police forces have passed it video footage and other information about claimants of disability benefits who have taken part in anti-fracking and anti-austerity protests. DWP’s attempt to hide its […]
Benefits and Poverty
Lobby aims to persuade MPs that DWP must First Do No Harm on assessments
Disabled activists are hoping to use a parliamentary meeting next month to persuade more MPs that action must be taken to prevent further deaths caused by the government’s much-criticised fitness for work test. The First Do No Harm lobby on 13 […]
Rudd accused of misleading MPs on universal credit by exaggerating jobcentre visits
The new work and pensions secretary has been accused of misleading MPs about her government’s under-fire universal credit benefit system, after she was caught exaggerating the number of jobcentres she had visited since her appointment. Amber Rudd told the House of […]
Universal credit protest as high court hears ‘discrimination’ case
Disabled activists have protested outside the Royal Courts of Justice to draw attention to the continuing harm caused by universal credit, as the high court hears a legal challenge that aims to brand the government’s policy “irrational” and “discriminatory”. Members of […]
Universal credit forces wheelchair-user who can’t heat home further into poverty
A disabled benefit claimant with high support needs who has lost more than £40 a week after having to transfer onto the new universal credit – forcing him into even greater poverty – has challenged the government to defend its drastic […]
Benefit appeal recordings not possible at nearly half tribunal venues
The government is discriminating against disabled benefit claimants by failing to install equipment at tribunal venues that would allow them to record what happens at their social security appeals, according to university researchers. Leeds University’s International Disability Law Clinic (IDLC) has […]
Surprise PIP report raises concerns over ministers’ spending plans
Disabled campaigners have been left bemused and concerned by a report from an independent fiscal watchdog which shows the government’s introduction of personal independence payment (PIP) has led to a sharp rise in spending on disability benefits. Tory chancellor George Osborne […]
Rudd has not delayed roll out of universal credit, DWP confirms
The roll out of the government’s much-criticised universal credit benefit system has not been delayed and will proceed as planned, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed. Reports at the weekend suggested that new work and pensions secretary Amber […]
Bungling DWP announces seventh review of disability benefits errors in a year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been forced to launch its seventh costly trawl through the records of disabled people unfairly deprived of benefits following years of serious errors by senior civil servants. The minister for disabled people, Sarah […]
Traumatised child rape survivor harassed again by DWP as he waits to give evidence
A traumatised benefit claimant has accused the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of “sheer malice” after it again broke its promise to stop harassing him while he waits to give vital evidence in a child abuse trial. DWP’s contractor Maximus […]