New research from StepChange Debt Charity has revealed growing concern about household finances, with millions of people worried about how they will cope as energy costs are expected to rise ahead of winter. These statistics come as Ofgem is expected to announce a rise in the energy price cap from October, before households have felt…
New Reports
Disability benefits reassessments are wasting money and harming disabled people, new report says
A new report by anti-poverty charity Z2K has found that hundreds of thousands of disabled people are put through unnecessary Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reassessments, despite their conditions being lifelong or progressive and unlikely to improve. What are PIP reassessments? PIP reassessments are periodic checks on an existing award, meant to make sure a claimant…
Delivering New Renters’ Rights to Challenge Unfair Rent Increases
https://z2k.org/rent-increase-tribunals-in-england/ Rent increases in England Unreasonable rent increases have long functioned as a form of informal or ‘backdoor’ eviction within England’s private rented sector. For renters facing the ever‑present threat of section 21 eviction, a large or unaffordable rent increase has frequently been impossible to challenge, even where it bears little relation to market rent….
IFS: April’s universal credit changes mean giveaways now, takeaways later
Three reforms to universal credit, the UK’s main working-age means-tested benefit received by 6.6 million families, take effect on 6 April 2026. Together, they will change the incomes of almost all who receive the benefit … First, the real value of the UC standard allowance will be increased by 2.3% more than inflation … Second,…
Government must increase trust in Universal Credit as full roll out brings 15 million people into the system
https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/press-releases/government-must-increase-trust-in-universal-credit-as-full-roll-out-brings-15-million-people-into-the-system/ By April, Universal Credit (UC) is finally due to be fully rolled out, thirteen years after its introduction in 2013. With half of all children in the UK (6.5 million) living in families receiving UC, the Government must use this milestone to build trust and improve the system for claimants, according to new proposals…
How to balance fairness and effectiveness in Unemployment Insurance
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publications/how-to-balance-fairness-and-effectiveness-in-unemployment-insurance/ The aim of recognising previous labour market contributions in benefit eligibility and payment levels, in order to enhance the political legitimacy of the benefits system, is understandable. And we agree that the role of contributory benefits in partially replacing lost income when someone becomes unemployed can help some people return to sustainable jobs more…
Cuts to non-health-related benefits shift claimants onto disability benefits
https://ifs.org.uk/news/cuts-non-health-related-benefits-shift-claimants-disability-benefits Disability benefits are intended to support people living with disabilities with the additional living costs they face as a result of their condition. They form just one part of the working-age benefit system, and people can claim disability benefits at the same time as other benefits such as universal credit. Studying four cuts to…
Homelessness in England 2025
https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/policy_and_research/policy_library/homelessness_in_england_2025 Findings include: there are an estimated 382,618 people who are now homeless in England, including 175,025 children.this represents an 8% increase (28,602 people) in just a year, and means that at least one in 153 people in England are homeless (65 per 10,000 population).there are 202,587 people homeless in London, which is the equivalent…
Top 5 scams you need to know
It’s not always easy to spot scams. Scammers are coming up with new ways to manipulate people, which is why it’s important you know which signs to look out for and what steps you can take to protect yourself. Use our online tool to check if something might be a scam and find out more…
Work Capability Assessment delays are leaving disabled people in limbo
https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/work-capability-assessment-delays-are-leaving-disabled-people-in-limbo-a1deb1e457cb Disabled people can get extra support under Universal Credit (UC) if they’re found eligible after a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). But many of those who come to Citizens Advice are waiting months, if not over a year, for this assessment. In the meantime, many struggle to afford essential costs and risk being pushed into…