Menu
12/08/2013
Final Round Of Benefit Caps Begins
The final round of benefit caps that have seen benefit claims restricted to £500 a week for couples and those with children and £350 for single people is to come into effect today, in those council areas affected by the scheme.
Benefit claims in the final 40 council areas will now be capped, bringing the measures into effect in 340 local authority areas across the UK.
The measures will be completed nationally by the end of September 2013, excluding Northern Ireland.
In total around 40,000 households will have their benefits capped.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: "The benefit cap is a major step forward in creating a welfare state that actively helps people get back on their own two feet, instead of providing pay-outs that are out of reach of the average hard-working family.
"Within the cap, there is a very clear incentive for people to work, as those claiming Working Tax Credit will be exempt and Universal Credit builds on this, ensuring claimants know they are better off in work than on benefits.
"It is clear the public support the benefit cap as for too long the taxpayer has propped up a broken system. This government is returning common sense to the welfare state at last."
Early roll-out of the benefit cap began in April with 4 local authorities in London. National roll-out of the benefit cap started in July.
The government says Jobcentre Plus teams have helped 14,000 potentially capped claimants into work since April last year and 34,500 people have accepted an offer of employment support.
The benefit cap will not affect a household if a member is entitled to Working Tax Credit.
The following benefits will be exempt from the cap:
Benefit claims in the final 40 council areas will now be capped, bringing the measures into effect in 340 local authority areas across the UK.
The measures will be completed nationally by the end of September 2013, excluding Northern Ireland.
In total around 40,000 households will have their benefits capped.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: "The benefit cap is a major step forward in creating a welfare state that actively helps people get back on their own two feet, instead of providing pay-outs that are out of reach of the average hard-working family.
"Within the cap, there is a very clear incentive for people to work, as those claiming Working Tax Credit will be exempt and Universal Credit builds on this, ensuring claimants know they are better off in work than on benefits.
"It is clear the public support the benefit cap as for too long the taxpayer has propped up a broken system. This government is returning common sense to the welfare state at last."
Early roll-out of the benefit cap began in April with 4 local authorities in London. National roll-out of the benefit cap started in July.
The government says Jobcentre Plus teams have helped 14,000 potentially capped claimants into work since April last year and 34,500 people have accepted an offer of employment support.
The benefit cap will not affect a household if a member is entitled to Working Tax Credit.
The following benefits will be exempt from the cap:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Industrial Injuries Benefit
- War Disablement Pension and the equivalent payments from the Armed Forces Compensation Payments Scheme
- Attendance Allowance
- the support component of Employment and Support Allowance
(IT/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 January 2013
MPs To Debate Benefit Caps
The work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, has said it is unfair for benefits to rise at a faster rate than wages. Ahead of a key Commons vote on capping benefits figures highlighted by Duncan Smith show jobless benefits rose 20% in the last five years, compared with an average 12% rise in private sector pay.
MPs To Debate Benefit Caps
The work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, has said it is unfair for benefits to rise at a faster rate than wages. Ahead of a key Commons vote on capping benefits figures highlighted by Duncan Smith show jobless benefits rose 20% in the last five years, compared with an average 12% rise in private sector pay.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
30 October 2006
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
25 April 2012
Boris Johnson Vows To Block 'Social Cleansing'
Following criticism of Newham County Council’s attempt to relocate housing benefit tenants out of its area, London mayor, Boris Johnson has said he will not have "Kosovo-style social cleansing" of the poor in the capital.
Boris Johnson Vows To Block 'Social Cleansing'
Following criticism of Newham County Council’s attempt to relocate housing benefit tenants out of its area, London mayor, Boris Johnson has said he will not have "Kosovo-style social cleansing" of the poor in the capital.
21 July 2008
Benefit Claimants Could Be Forced To Work
Benefit claimants could be forced into community work under new UK Government plans to get millions of the unemployed back to work. The Welfare Green Paper is expected to include proposals to force those unemployed for more than two years to work within the community.
Benefit Claimants Could Be Forced To Work
Benefit claimants could be forced into community work under new UK Government plans to get millions of the unemployed back to work. The Welfare Green Paper is expected to include proposals to force those unemployed for more than two years to work within the community.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
