https://www.gov.uk/government/news/broken-fit-note-system-to-be-overhauled The government press release states, Patients, employers and GPs are set to benefit from an overhaul of the broken fit note system following the launch of several pilots by the Government today to reform the system for workers who fall ill. The current system sees some 11 million fit notes issued every year, with…
Tag: WCA
Guidance if you received a lower level of benefit after moving to Universal Credit, and this was due to a decision to end your old ‘legacy’ benefit, which was found to be incorrect.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-one-off-payment-under-the-successful-legacy-appeals-compensation-scheme Who the scheme is for In 2020, a Court of Appeal decision concluded that people who had an incorrect decision to end their legacy benefits later reversed, for example on appeal, could not be reinstated onto their legacy benefit if they had already claimed Universal Credit. However, where these same people had a lower…
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,…
‘A cruel penalty’: disabled people face lower benefit payments if conditions not deemed lifelong
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/29/disabled-benefit-claimants-face-lower-payments-if-conditions-not-deemed-lifelong-charities-say Hundreds of thousands of severely ill and disabled people making new claims will have their benefits cut if the government assesses that their condition might improve, charities have said. In April, the health element of universal credit – an extra payment for people assessed as too unwell to work or prepare for work –…
Check how Universal Credit is changing in 2026
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/check-how-universal-credit-is-changing-in-2026/ The government have announced changes to Universal Credit that will affect everyone from April 2026. These changes are the result of the Universal Credit Act 2025 and the November 2025 budget. The amount of Universal Credit you get will change. This is because the Universal Credit ‘standard allowance’ is increasing. A monthly Universal Credit…
Universal Credit explained
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit Whether you are new to Universal Credit, or have an existing claim, we understand it can feel like a daunting and complex process. We are here to support you every step of the way. On this page we break down Universal Credit into simple steps so that you can easily find all the information…
Proposed benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027 Coming into effect in April 2026, note the LCWRA reduced rate is for new claimants only there after. And from rightsnet, https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/resources/benefit-rates#universal_credit
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,…