Latest news with #PolicyinPractice
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wales could lose 'half a billion' in welfare reforms
The UK government's disability welfare reforms could cut the incomes of people in Wales by £466m by 2029-30 according to new analysis. Data analytics company Policy in Practice told Walescast that almost 190,000 people are likely to be affected - 6% of the population. Brian Evans from Swansea, who receives support for multiple health problems, said the uncertainty meant he was constantly anxious with "the worry of what's going to happen to me". The Department for Work and Pensions said it would not compromise on protecting people "who need our support", and that reforms "will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work". Benefits crackdown unveiled with aim to save £5bn a year by 2030 People 'terrified' by benefit reforms - Labour politician Wales losing billions in unclaimed benefits - report Mr Evans, 62, receives the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for which eligibility will be tightened under the reforms. PIP was designed to cover the extra costs of being disabled, and Mr Evans uses it to run his mobility car, which he fears losing. "I haven't got a television because I can't afford one, everything's being spent," he said. "So if things are cut back any further I really don't know how I'll manage." When the changes were proposed in March, First Minister Eluned Morgan asked the UK government for an assessment of their impact on Wales specifically. The Department for Work and Pensions has published an impact assessment for England and Wales. The analysis by Policy in Practice, which has been working with the Welsh government and local authorities in Wales to encourage people to claim the benefits they are eligible for, breaks down the impact of the reforms on each region. Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Neath Port Talbot were the worst affected areas per head of population. Sam Fathers, of Policy in Practice, told Walescast that for some people the reforms could mean "knocking 60% of their income out in one hit" and cutting thousands of pounds per year among people on some of the lowest incomes in the UK. But he urged people not to panic because the proposals were currently at the consultation stage. The number of working-age people claiming health-related benefits in the UK has increased by 45% since 2019-20. The UK government proposed the reforms to save £5bn a year by 2020-30, though the number of claims is still expected to grow. Ministers have said the plans would offer a £1bn package of extra support for people to return to the workplace, with a "try before you buy" approach enabling people to try a job without automatically losing benefits. "Anything that will get people back into work is welcome," said Mr Fathers, but he added that even "the very best campaigns around employability with disabled people have got about 5% more people into work". He said Policy in Practice had modelled the impact of getting up to 10% of claimants back into work and even in that scenario Wales would see "an increase in the levels of poverty". Labour Member of the Senedd, Mick Antoniw, called for the UK government to work with the Welsh government to reform the welfare system. "Some of these things aren't thought out," he said. "What we don't have is a clear anti-poverty agenda that is the driving force of policy change." "A Labour government is there to resolve poverty and help people into work," said Antoniw. "There are a lot of good things that are happening, I just think that the messaging has been the wrong way round and the driving force has probably been the wrong way round." The Department for Work and Pensions said: "The majority of people who are currently getting PIP will continue to receive it. "We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and their income is protected. "We have also announced a review of the PIP assessment, and we will be working with disabled people and key organisations representing them - including in Wales - to consider how best to do this."
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welfare cuts could impact three times as many Welsh households
Welfare cuts could impact three times as many Welsh households The Bevan Foundation says the number of households affected by UK Government cuts to Universal Credit and disability benefit may soar The levels of poverty people in Wales are living in could increase dramatically as a result of the UK Government's planned changes to welfare reform (Image: South Wales Echo ) The levels of poverty people in Wales are living in could increase dramatically as a result of the UK Government's planned changes to welfare payments, a think tank has said. In March, the UK Government announced changes to disability benefits and Universal Credit. There have been repeated concerns about the impact of the proposal, and questions about how it will impact Wales. A report today by thinktank the Bevan Foundation says the number of households affected could more than treble, from 24.5% to 78.4%. Part of the government proposals included measures to get people back to work, with those taken into account, the think tank say it is likely that household affected by the reforms will still be more than twice as likely to be living in poverty once the reforms are fully rolled out than is currently the case. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The report, by data experts Policy in Practice, found some households set to be over £900 a month worse off Earlier this month, Policy in Practice, said nearly 190,000 people will be affected by the changes to benefits. The Bevan Foundation's Head of Policy (Poverty) Dr Steffan Evans said: "These new findings make for incredibly grim reading. It is clear, that without a rethink, UK Government's proposed reforms to the benefits system will have a particularly severe impact on poverty in Wales, making life harder for thousands of disabled people. "The results highlight just how important the benefits system is in reducing poverty. Whilst the UK Government is right to take action to support disabled people back into work, work can only ever form part of the answer. Article continues below "It is vital that the UK Government maintains a strong safety net to ensure people can access the support they need." Deven Ghelani from Policy in Practice, said: "This research lays bare the sharp rise in hardship many disabled people in Wales could soon face. Local authorities need to prepare for the increase in poverty these reforms will trigger, "The data also shows they are not powerless. "By using insights like these, councils can target support, plan services more effectively, and advocate for the resources their communities will urgently need." The UK Government has failed to give any figures for how its welfare changes will impact Wales despite repeated questions and requests for data. There is acceptance that Wales has a high level of people who claim benefits and WalesOnline asked the Department of Work and Pensions, the Treasury and Wales Office on the day of the Spring Statement how many people would be affected in Wales. None of them could answer. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, speaks during a press conference in the briefing room at Downing Street following the announcement of the Spring Statement (Image: Getty Images ) When WalesOnline interviewed the chancellor on her visit to Wales the day after the Spring Statement, she said it was "not usual" to give figures for Wales, but they were looking at the request. You can see her comment here. The Welsh Government was not able to provide figures either. Despite subsequent requests, no-one has been able to answer. It led to a row between the two Labour administrations in Wales and London, you can catch up on that here. Eluned Morgan has said she is "really worried" about how the changes might impact people. Article continues below Wales' health minister Jeremy Miles also said it was not a decision the Welsh Government would have made and said the decision was "wrong". His comments were part of a wider interview.
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Report finds benefit reform could increase poverty in Wales
According to research carried out by Policy in Practice in conjunction with the Bevan Foundation, the UK Government's planned changes to disability benefits and Universal Credit could lead to a more than threefold increase in poverty rates among affected Welsh households—from 24.5 per cent up to 78.4 per cent. In March, the UK Government announced reforms to disability benefits and Universal Credit, leading to widespread concerns about the potential increase in poverty levels. The Policy in Practice report projected that these changes could affect nearly 190,000 people in Wales, or 6.1 per cent of the population, with a loss to the Welsh economy of around £470 million. It has now been found that these changes could dramatically increase the levels of poverty among the affected households in Wales. According to the same report, more disabled people are also set to fall into poverty as a result of these changes. Even though the government's efforts to get more disabled people into work may lessen the impact of the cuts, the study suggests that affected households will still be more than twice as likely to be living in poverty compared to the current rates. Commenting on the findings, Dr Steffan Evans, head of policy (poverty) at the Bevan Foundation, said: "These new findings make for incredibly grim reading. "It is clear that, without a rethink, the UK Government's proposed reforms to the benefits system will have a particularly severe impact on poverty in Wales, making life harder for thousands of disabled people." Deven Ghelani, director and founder of Policy in Practice, urged local authorities to prepare for the rising levels of poverty. He said: "This research lays bare the sharp rise in hardship many disabled people in Wales could soon face. "Local authorities need to prepare for the increase in poverty these reforms will trigger, but the data also shows they are not powerless. "By using insights like these, councils can target support."
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Millions on benefits including Universal Credit are missing out on help with key bill
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of households on benefits including Universal Credit are missing out on Almost 2.7million people are failing to claim a huge £3.5billion in council tax support, according to figures from Policy in Practice. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 TAX BILL text on the paper sheet with coffee on the black background Credit: Getty Council tax support is a scheme where those on a low income or benefits can get money off the bill. You could get a discount of anything up to 100% of your bill through the support. The unclaimed amount includes almost £1million in pension-age council tax support. The rest is for those of working age. The average claim for working-age council tax support is £1,464, while the support for pensioners is worth an average of £1,670. However, many households fail to claim because they simply don't know it exists. The support is given out by local councils in England and claiming varies by local authority so will depend on where you live, your income, dependants and other benefits. Scotland and Wales also have national schemes. You can find out if you're eligible by visiting You just have to enter your postcode and it will redirect you to your council's website where you can find out more. The amount of council tax you will get off varies and will likely depend on what band you are in as well. How to challenge your council tax band Council tax bands range from A to H, with A homes paying the least and H the most. For example, households in Birmingham can apply for Council Tax Support if they receive certain benefits such as Universal Credit or employment support allowance. The support is calculated as a means-tested discount. This means the amount each household will have to pay towards their bill will depend on their household circumstances. Meanwhile, in Manchester, you can claim council tax support when you apply for Universal Credit. How to check how much council tax you pay BEFORE you cut your bill it is important to know how much you pay in council tax each year. You can find your council tax band on for homes in England and Wales. If you live in Scotland then you can check on the Scottish Assessors website. You will need to enter your postcode and scroll through the listed addresses to find yours. Local councils must contact you directly every time your bill is set to go up or down. They should do this via letter or email. You can find out which local council is yours on the website. What other council tax discounts are available? If you're not receiving benefits or don't qualify for your local authority's low-income council tax support scheme, you may still be eligible for a reduction in your bill due to other circumstances. For instance, certain pensioners can qualify for a discount of up to 100%. Meanwhile, individuals who live alone or are full-time students may also benefit from substantial discounts. Pensioners Pensioners may also be able to get a council tax discount if they receive certain benefits. Those on the guarantee credit element of pension credit could get up to 100% off their bill. If you do not get guaranteed credit but have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings then you may still get some help. Meanwhile, if you are a pensioner who lives alone then you will qualify for a 25% discount. Single people You could get a 25% council tax reduction if you live on your own or if others at home are classed as "disregarded". You are disregarded if: You are under 18 years old On certain apprentice schemes 18 or 19 years old and in full-time education A full-time student at a university or college Under 25 years old and receive funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency A student nurse A foreign language assistant who is registered with the British Council Severely mentally impaired A live-in carer for someone who is not your partner, spouse or child under 18 A diplomat For example, if a single adult lives with a severely mentally impaired person then they can get 25% off their council tax. Meanwhile, if you live in an all-student household then you do not need to pay any council tax. Severe mental impairment You could apply for a 25% council tax discount if you live with someone who is severely mentally impaired. To be eligible there must be no other adults in your household or everyone else in your home must have been disregarded. If you are severely mentally impaired and you live on your own then you may qualify for a 100% discount. You could also be exempt from paying council tax if any other adults in your household either qualify as severely mentally impaired or are full-time students. You could also get a 50% discount on your council tax bill if everyone else in your household is disregarded.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Millions on benefits including Universal Credit are missing out on help with key bill
MILLIONS of households on benefits including Universal Credit are missing out on Almost 2.7million people are failing to claim a huge £3.5billion in council tax support, according to figures from Policy in Practice. Council tax support is a scheme where those on a low income or benefits can get money off the bill. You could get a discount of anything up to 100% of your bill through the support. The unclaimed amount includes almost £1million in pension-age council tax support. The rest is for those of working age. The average claim for working-age council tax support is £1,464, while the support for pensioners is worth an average of £1,670. However, many households fail to claim because they simply don't know it exists. The support is given out by local councils in England and claiming varies by local authority so will depend on where you live, your income, dependants and other benefits. Scotland and Wales also have national schemes. You can find out if you're eligible by visiting You just have to enter your postcode and it will redirect you to your council's website where you can find out more. The amount of council tax you will get off varies and will likely depend on what band you are in as well. How to challenge your council tax band Council tax bands range from A to H, with A homes paying the least and H the most. For example, households in Birmingham can apply for Council Tax Support if they receive certain benefits such as Universal Credit or employment support allowance. The support is calculated as a means-tested discount. This means the amount each household will have to pay towards their bill will depend on their household circumstances. Meanwhile, in Manchester, you can claim council tax support when you apply for Universal Credit. How to check how much council tax you pay BEFORE you cut your bill it is important to know how much you pay in council tax each year. You can find your council tax band on for homes in England and Wales. If you live in Scotland then you can check on the Scottish Assessors website. You will need to enter your postcode and scroll through the listed addresses to find yours. Local councils must contact you directly every time your bill is set to go up or down. They should do this via letter or email. You can find out which local council is yours on the website. What other council tax discounts are available? If you're not receiving benefits or don't qualify for your local authority's low-income council tax support scheme, you may still be eligible for a reduction in your bill due to other circumstances. For instance, certain pensioners can qualify for a discount of up to 100%. Meanwhile, individuals who live alone or are full-time students may also benefit from substantial discounts. Pensioners Pensioners may also be able to get a council tax discount if they receive certain benefits. Those on the guarantee credit element of pension credit could get up to 100% off their bill. If you do not get guaranteed credit but have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings then you may still get some help. Meanwhile, if you are a pensioner who lives alone then you will qualify for a 25% discount. Single people You could get a 25% council tax reduction if you live on your own or if others at home are classed as "disregarded". You are disregarded if: You are under 18 years old On certain apprentice schemes 18 or 19 years old and in full-time education A full-time student at a university or college Under 25 years old and receive funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency A student nurse A foreign language assistant who is registered with the British Council Severely mentally impaired A live-in carer for someone who is not your partner, spouse or child under 18 A diplomat For example, if a single adult lives with a severely mentally impaired person then they can get 25% off their council tax. Meanwhile, if you live in an all-student household then you do not need to pay any council tax. Severe mental impairment You could apply for a 25% council tax discount if you live with someone who is severely mentally impaired. To be eligible there must be no other adults in your household or everyone else in your home must have been disregarded. If you are severely mentally impaired and you live on your own then you may qualify for a 100% discount. You could also be exempt from paying council tax if any other adults in your household either qualify as severely mentally impaired or are full-time students. You could also get a 50% discount on your council tax bill if everyone else in your household is disregarded.
