Welfare
Hull bids to pilot Universal Basic Income
Councillors voted to establish a steering group and seek support from the Government.
Empower cities to help people back into work
Most commentators agree that, despite Britain’s economic uncertainty, the labour market remains robust. But go below these national headlines and explore the labour market in different cities across the country and a more complicated picture emerges.
Spending promises ignore the state’s changing nature
Michael Burton asks how much of the 'largesse, if any' of both of the main parties' election spending pledges might flow back into local government, which has borne the brunt of cuts in the last decade.
Local Housing Allowance 'inadequate' for family homes, research warns
More than nine out of ten family homes for private rent are too expensive for people on housing benefit, new analysis has revealed.
NI senior policy officer warns of 'perfect storm'
The difficulties facing councils and their communities in Northern Ireland are ‘turning into a perfect storm ahead’ according to a senior local government policy officer representing all 11 councils.
In-work poverty is the scourge of our time, says Miller
‘In-work poverty is the scourge of our time,’ former Solace president Jo Miller has told BBC’s Women’s Hour.
LGA in low income household call
The Spending Review must restore councils’ ability to support low income households, Smith Square has urged.
Budget 2018: Billion-pound Universal Credit pledge
Chancellor Philip Hammond today pledged £1bn in an attempt to ease benefits claimants’ transition to Universal Credit (UC).
Whitehall ‘dismissed’ councils’ concerns over Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is ‘disturbingly adrift from the real-world problems’ caused by the Universal Credit rollout, a report by MPs has concluded.
soapbox
Paul Wheeler is 'taking a break from Brexit Britain' to spend a year in the German capital while returning to university The attraction of a country which teaches in English and charges no tuition fees 'proved irresistible'
Universal Credit chief admits support is not working
The civil servant in charge of the Universal Credit rollout has admitted support for claimants has not been effective, as responsibility was handed to the charity sector.
Measuring poverty to help solve the problem
We need to measure poverty to be able to hold the Government to account and to tackle the problem, argues Deven Ghelani.
Welfare support has 'collapsed' for many
One in six top-tier councils are not providing vital welfare services devolved to them just as the sector’s budget cuts hit hard.
Cash collection made simple
Councils could bring in vital extra funding if they apply behavioural insights to revenue collection argues Tim Pearse
Universal Credit rollout pushed back as fresh changes made
A raft of changes have been made to Universal Credit, pushing back the expected completion of the rollout another year.
Bedroom facts
When is a bedroom not a bedroom?
Universal Credit reports to be released to committee
Pensions secretary David Gauke has reluctantly agreed to release a series of Universal Credit impact reports to a select committee, but pleaded for them not to be leaked to the public.
'Revised timetable' for Universal Credit rollout
The Government has caved into pressure and changed the timetable for the rollout of Universal Credit (UC), The MJ has learnt.
Children's commissioner adds to calls for Universal Credit pause
The children’s commissioner Anne Longfield will ask the Treasury to pause the rollout of Universal Credit (UC) for families with children.
NAO: Public debt levels soaring after seven years of austerity
Britain’s debt crisis has got worse since the financial crash, with liabilities now equivalent to £47,000 per household, auditors have reported.