Welfare

CIH is in a unique position to look at how housing policy is changing across the UK. With a policy presence in each nation it can take a look at the big picture. So what’s happening, what’s different, and what’s the same? Jon Barnes takes a look at the findings of CIH’s recent briefing for m

Research by a group of London housing association’s has found that the ‘bedroom tax’ has failed in its objective to free up larger social homes in the city. Introduced in 2013, the UK government’s Social Rented Sector Size Criteria (SRSSC), more commonly known as the bedroom tax, saw househo

Zhan McIntyre It is “vital” for people across Scotland that a robust social security system offers help for hard-up families, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said.

Angela Constance The Scottish Government is to launch a consultation giving people the chance to help shape the country’s first ever social security system.

The full roll-out of Universal Credit has been delayed until at least March 2022 after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced a revised timetable for the scheme. The UK government's flagship welfare reform, which replaces six current benefits with a single payment, was originally sched

Sajid Javid Sajid Javid has been named as the new secretary of state for communities and local government following Theresa May's appointment as Prime Minister.

David Mundell A major milestone in the transfer of new welfare powers from Westminster to Holyrood will be reached today which will give First Minister Nicola Sturgeon the opportunity to create a Scottish welfare state within weeks.

David Mundell UK and Scottish government ministers met yesterday to discuss the next steps on the transfer of welfare powers under the Scotland Act 2016.

New research by the national charity Turn2us has found that over four-fifths (82 per cent) of social tenants who are claiming means-tested benefits are worried about future changes to the welfare system. Significant changes to the benefits and tax credits system are taking place over the next few ye

Mary Taylor Ahead of today’s Holyrood debate on ‘Dignity, Fairness and Respect and Disability Benefits’, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) is highlighting the potentially devastating effects of little known changes to Housing Benefit by the UK government – as well as the

The UK government’s much-heralded change to the social security system contains a number of inherent flaws which are causing serious problems for people in need, according to a detailed new report from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS). The new Universal Credit (UC) policy is a massive reform to soci

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has outlined a comprehensive programme for the Scottish Government including early action to prepare for new social security powers and delivering 50,000 affordable homes over the parliament. In a speech to MSPs at Holyrood yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said the next five yea

Janice Blenkinsopp In a guest blog for Shelter Scotland, Janice Blenkinsopp talks about her research into the housing options for the often overlooked demographic of low-income adults aged 25-34 following recent welfare changes and the potential implications for our understanding of what it means to

Terrie Alafat Tenants who receive the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) face an increasingly widening gap between the help with their housing costs and the actual rent they pay, new Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) research has found.

Almost half of low income households in the UK are not claiming the welfare benefits and tax credits they could be entitled to, according to new research. National charity Turn2us has found that of the 48 per cent of low income households missing out on assistance, 87 per cent have seen no improveme