Insight
Why do benefits sometimes increase by less than inflation?
Benefits increase yearly but due to time lags with the way they are calculated (based on inflation), claimants can end up with less money in real terms.
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Insight
Why am I paying a council tax premium on my second home?
From 1 April 2025, English councils will be able to charge a council tax premium on second homes. Some second homes will be exempt from the premium.
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Insight
Why am I paying an empty homes premium on my council tax?
What is the empty homes premium, when does it apply and what plans are there to extend it to second homes?
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Research Briefing
Spring Statement 2025: Background briefing
Ahead of the 2025 Spring Statement on 26 March, this briefing explains what will happen on the day and summarises the economic situation.
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Research Briefing
The communication of State Pension age increases for women born in the 1950s
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has investigated the communication of State Pension age increases to women born in the 1950s.
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Research Briefing
Changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility in 2024/25 rules in 2024/25
The UK government changed the rules for Winter Fuel Payment so that, in winter 2024/2025, households were no longer entitled unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.
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Constituency casework,Research Briefing
Universal Credit: a checklist before claiming
What people need to know about before claiming Universal Credit.
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Research Briefing
Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-25
The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-25 makes provisions to identify, prevent and deter fraud and error, and enable the recovery of debt, both in the public sector and in the benefits system.
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Research Briefing
The welfare cap
Since 2014 the UK government has had a cap on welfare spending. Here we explain how the cap is set and assessed. We also look at how the cap has changed.
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Research Briefing
Kinship carers in England
An overview of kinship care in England, including the different types of kinship care arrangement, support available for kinship carers, issues, and Government policy.
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Research Briefing
Managed migration: Completing Universal Credit rollout
An overview of the final managed migration stage of the Universal Credit rollout.
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Constituency casework,Research Briefing
Universal Credit information sources
Key Universal Credit resources for caseworkers.
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Constituency casework
Universal Credit information sources
Key Universal Credit resources for caseworkers.
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Research Briefing
The old State Pension
Issues frequently raised by constituents related to the 'old' State Pension for those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
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Research Briefing
Discretionary Housing Payments
Local authority Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) can provide additional financial assisance to households receiving the housing costs element of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Total results (page 3 of 34)