Research Briefing
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: a brief guide
This Commons Library briefing gives an overview of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, what it covers and how it is enforced.
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Research Briefing
Universal Credit: jam tomorrow?
The Chancellor announced a change in the Universal Credit taper rate from 65% to 63% in this week’s Autumn Statement. This will increase the amount of benefit received by many in-work Universal Credit claimants. But what does this mean in practice for families, and how much will it cost the Exchequer? What is Universal Credit?
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Research Briefing
The Benefit Cap
This House of Commons Library briefing paper explains how the household benefit cap operates and considers evidence of its impact to date. It also covers the reductions in the benefit cap being phased in from 7 November 2016, and their likely impact.
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Research Briefing
Universal Credit changes from April 2016
Universal Credit (UC) is a new benefit which is to replace means-tested social security benefits and tax credits for working-age claimants by 2022. UC work allowances, the maximum a claimant can earn before their award is withdrawn, were reduced from April 2016 onwards. Limits to support for new claimants will also apply from April 2017. This paper provides an introduction to Universal Credit and analyses the impact of these changes.
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Debate Pack
Autumn Statement distributional analysis, Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance
MPs will debate the Autumn Statement distributional analysis, Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance, on Wednesday 16 November 2016. This will be an Opposition Day debate. This Commons Library briefing page contains Library briefings, independent and select committee reports.
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Debate Pack
Concentrix
There will be an Opposition Day debate on HMRC's contract with Concentrix to review and correct tax credit claims on Wednesday 26 October 2016. This House of Commons Library briefing provides a background summary and also press and parliamentary coverage.
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Debate Pack
Performance of Concentrix in dealing with tax credit claimants – Fiona Mactaggart
MPs will debate the performance of Concentrix in dealing with tax credit claimants, on Tuesday 18 October 2016 in Westminster Hall from 9.30 to 11.00 am. Fiona Mactaggart MP will lead the debate . This House of Commons Library briefing provides a summary of the issues and relevant press and parliamentary coverage.
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Research Briefing
Welfare spending: what’s in £218.3 billion?
More than a year has passed since the Summer Budget 2015 and the then Chancellor’s commitment to save £12 billion from the welfare budget. Over the next Parliament, total UK welfare spending is forecast to fall by around £7 billion (3.2%) between 2015-16 and 2019-20. But what makes up welfare spending? This blog uses the
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Research Briefing
Welfare savings 2010-11 to 2020-21
The House of Commons Library Welfare Expenditure and Savings Tool combines multiple sources of expenditure and savings data into one easy to use, up-to-date analysis tool. Users can track changes in welfare expenditure over time, analyse savings as a proportion of expenditure and identify key policy measures by benefit announced since June 2010. Total spending on UK social security and tax credits will be £218.4 billion in 2016-17, 28.3% of total managed expenditure. Measures announced since 2010 will save around £26 billion in the same year, roughly 10% of what welfare spending might otherwise have been.
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Debate Pack
Universal basic income
MPs will debate Universal basic income on Wednesday 14 September 2016 in Westminster Hall from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Ronnie Cowan MP will open the debate. This House of Commons Library page discusses the issues with and arguments for and against universal basic income schemes, and recent developments.
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Research Briefing
Housing Benefit: do awards cover rents?
Local Housing Allowance (LHA), the maximum amount of Housing Benefit private renters are able to receive, is now capped and “frozen” until 2020. This means that over the next Parliament LHA rates will remain static while rents continue to rise or fall with changes in the market. Concerns have been raised that this could result
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Research Briefing
Personal Independence Payment and the March 2016 Budget
This House of Commons Library briefing paper looks at controversial proposals put forward at the March 2016 Budget to change the criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The proposals were subsequently abandoned and the Government said it would not be seeking to make alternative offsetting savings, or further savings from the welfare budget not already legislated for.
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Debate Pack
Effect of Universal Credit on children
MPs will debate the Effect of Universal Credit on children on Tuesday 10 May 2016. This is a Backbench Business debate secured by Stephen Timms MP. This House of Commons Library page provides an overview of Universal Credit and links to relevant briefings and reports.
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Research Briefing
Welfare reform and disabled people
The Library briefing provides an overview of the benefits changes introduced since 2010 affecting disabled people and their families, looks at the impact of the changes, and summarises responses from disability organisations and others.
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Research Briefing
Welfare Reform and Work Bill 2015-16: Lords amendments
The Welfare Reform and Work Bill 2015-16 had its Third Reading in the House of Lords on 9 February, and the Commons is due to consider Lords amendments on 23 February.
Total results (page 13 of 22)