https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-local-housing-allowance-rates-2026-to-2027 Monthly Universal Credit Local Housing Allowance rates for England, Scotland and Wales from April 2026 to March 2027. And to see what the 30th percentile is doing in your board rental market area see, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2026-to-march-2027
Keir Starmer will not overhaul welfare system for at least a year
The postponement makes it less likely that any controversial policies would be implemented before the next general election
https://www.thetimes.com/article/641438af-569e-4c12-bd71-71c58cdfed10?shareToken=2e022bc361cf6642e845ebcbd05fe832 Sir Keir Starmer has vetoed plans for a fresh attempt to reform Britain’s welfare system as Downing Street seeks to avoid another confrontation with Labour MPs. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has been told it will not be given time in parliament to introduce any new changes to the benefits system until…
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…
New from rightsnet,
DWP confirms that ESA claimants who fail to migrate to universal credit by final deadline should have the LCWRA element included from start of any subsequent claim At the DWP’s November 2025 universal credit stakeholder engagement forum, advisers highlighted that ESA claimants who fail to migrate to universal credit, but then subsequently claim the benefit,…
Rental inflation drops to 4% in Brighton and Hove
Rental inflation has dropped from 5% to 4% in Brighton and Hove in the latest ONS December data. https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/privaterentandhousepricesuk/december2025
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…
Private rented sector tenants: research report
Published 4 December 2025
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-rented-sector-tenants-research-report/private-rented-sector-tenants-research-report Executive summaryThis report presents the findings from research into renters’ experience of the private rental sector, conducted by Verian in March 2024. The purpose of the research was to understand the experiences of private renters, as well as their understanding of the complaints process. The research involved an online survey with 1,517 members of…
rightsnet updates on today’s budget include:
Budget 2025: Two-child limit within universal credit to be removed from April 2026 Budget 2025: Extension of targeted case reviews in universal credit expected to achieve further £1.3 billion in savings in 2030/2031 Budget 2025: Government confirms that ‘relevant threshold’ for purposes of calculating surplus earnings under universal credit to stay at £2,500 for an…