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Publication - Member Reports
Cutting edge member reports, keep you up to date covering areas of interest to both private and social sector landlords, including the changes to the housing and welfare benefit system. Therefore ensuring that both social and private sector landlords and managing/letting agents understand and keep abreast of these changes and pro-actively prepare for the impact of the Welfare Reforms on rental income.
LIN member report January 2019 - The Social Housing Commission
25 January, 2019
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report December 2018 - "Rogue Landlords" - Recent Legislation
03 December, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report November 2018 - The Autumn Budget
06 November, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report October 2018 - Regulating social landlords
15 October, 2018
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report September 2018 - Three Year Tenancy Consultation - What Does This Mean For Landlords?
21 September, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report August 2018 - Council spending on discretionary housing payments
13 August, 2018
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report July 2018 - The "Housing Court" - What Does This Mean For Landlords?
23 July, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
Experiences of Living with Visual Impairment: Matching Income with Needs
26 June, 2018
Six existing benefits have been consolidated into Universal Credit - which the Government says will make the transition between welfare and work, more simple. But a new report from Thomas Pocklington Trust is highlighting changes which it feels will leave future blind and visually impaired claimants worse off
Final Findings: Welfare Conditionality project (2013-2018)
22 May, 2018
Report which summarises the final findings of the Welfare Conditionality project (2013-2018).
LIN member report May 2018 - Welfare Reform A Round-Up Post 2015
08 May, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report April 2018 - Landlords and the Courts
12 April, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report March 2018 - The private rented sector - moving towards regulation?
28 March, 2018
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report February 2018 - "Fitness for Habitation" Bill
22 February, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report January 2018 - Universal Credit
30 January, 2018
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report December 2017 - General Data Protection Regulation An Overview
15 December, 2017
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report October 2017 - Airbnb: Implications for Landlords
15 October, 2017
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report September 2017 - The household benefit cap
15 September, 2017
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report August 2017 - Council spending on discretionary housing payments
15 August, 2017
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report June 2017 - Universal Credit Update
01 June, 2017
LIN member report by Rebecca Wilkie
LIN member report May 2017 - The Homelessness Reduction Act
01 May, 2017
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report April 2017 - Housing Associations: Past, Present and Future
26 April, 2017
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
LIN member report March 2017 - The Budget and beyond
01 March, 2017
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member report February 2017 - The Housing White Paper
13 February, 2017
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN Member Report January 2017 - Housebuilding
27 January, 2017
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
This briefing, which includes details of housebuilding schemes elsewhere in the UK, looks at the picture in early 2017 and considers whether the government is on target to build one million new homes by the end of the decade.
LIN Member Report December 2016 - Autumn Statement
01 December, 2016
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
LIN member Report December 2016 - Pay to Stay - A Review
20 November, 2016
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
Office for Budget Responsibility: Welfare trends report
12 October, 2016
This is our third Welfare trends report, in which we examine trends in public spending on different elements of the welfare system, including those subject to the Government's 'welfare cap'
LIN member report September 2016 - Affordable Housing and Social Housing How Affordable Is It?
26 September, 2016
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
Meeting housing demand, raising standards: social landlords and the private rented sector
14 September, 2016
Firstly, any social landlord looking to make the move into the private rented sector needs to study their local market very carefully
Spare Room London Rental Index
03 August, 2016
SpareRoom.com report
Cheapest And Most Expensive Places To Rent A Room Revealed
Can't work or won't work
02 August, 2016
Quasi-experimental evidence on work search requirements for single parents
No Place Like An Accessible Home
01 August, 2016
LSE Report
Hundreds of thousands of disabled people are feeling hopeless and isolated, trapped in unsuitable housing according to report
Welfare Reform and Work Bill House of Lords second reading submission
26 July, 2016
Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report
Taxing tenants: how taxes on landlords end up hitting tenants
25 July, 2016
TaxPayers' Alliance report
Falling short: the experiences of families below the Minimum Income Standard
18 July, 2016
Joseph Rowntree report
More than one in three families in the UK now have incomes below the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), a benchmark based on what the public agrees a household needs as a minimum to live on
The business case for affordable housing
14 July, 2016
Peabody Trust and CBI report
This report reveals that Londoners living in social housing contributed at least £15bn to the capitals economy in 2015 alone
Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 Overview of the Act and implications for the sector
14 July, 2016
Report by Community Housing Cymru
The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 was enacted in response to increased numbers of people currently accessing the rented market in Wales and in an effort 'to make it simpler and easier to rent a home, replacing various complex pieces of legislation with one clear legal framework'
Restoring a Nation of Home Owners
14 June, 2016
Report by Civitas
What went wrong with home ownership in Britain, and how to start putting it right
Buy-to-let Britain
10 June, 2016
Buy-to-let landlords likely to increase rents to offset higher costs - report by Kent Reliance
Destitution in the UK
27 April, 2016
JRF report
This report defines destitution in the UK, looking at how many people are affected, who they are, and the main pathways in and out of destitution. It looks at the impact and experience of those people directly affected
LIN member report April 2016 - The Welfare Reform and Work Act
25 April, 2016
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
This report will ensure you discover everything you need to know about this important piece of legislation
LIN member report February 2016 - Universal Credit Update
22 February, 2016
LIN member report by Rebecca Wilkie
Practical implications of Immigration Checks on new Lettings
01 February, 2016
CIH Report on the implications for social sector
Housing Benefit changes could cost sector hundreds of millions and threaten health and wellbeing of tenants
27 January, 2016
The SFHA is urgently calling on the UK Government to rethink upcoming changes to Housing Benefit
LIN member report January 2016 - The Effects on Social Landlords of the 1% Rent Reduction, the Autumn Statement and the Spending Review
22 January, 2016
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
Invitation to tender: action research learning lessons from the Voluntary Right to Buy pilots
07 January, 2016
The NHF in partnership with the pilot housing associations, is commissioning research to learn lessons from the Voluntary Right to Buy pilots to inform the wider programme
NFA & ARCH Welfare Reform 2015 Analysis
07 January, 2016
NFA and ARCH survey reveals 89% of Universal Credit Claimants in rent arrears
LIN Member Report December 2015 - Spending Review and Autumn Statement
02 December, 2015
LIN member report by Claire Turner
Resolution Foundation Report
25 November, 2015
Report on the combined Spending Review and Autumn Statement
LIN member report November 2015 - Tax credits and low pay
11 November, 2015
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
LIN member report October 2015 - 'Right to Rent'
20 October, 2015
LIN member report by Rebecca Wilkie
How do Landlords Address Poverty
16 September, 2015
A poverty-focused review of the strategies of Local Authorities, Landlords & Letting Agents in England
LIN member report September 2015 - Sector Based Work Academies - Getting Tenants into Work
15 September, 2015
LIN member report written by Richard Walker
Evaluation of Cathays Additional Licensing Scheme
15 September, 2015
Evaluation of Cathays Additional Licensing Scheme 2010-2015
Tenants' Right To Buy Will Bring Mixed Fortunes For English Housing Associations
10 September, 2015
Report
'No Passport Equals No Home': An independent evaluation of the 'Right to Rent' scheme
04 September, 2015
The Right to Rent checks form part of a package of measures intended to create a "hostile environment" for irregular migrants in the UK
LIN Member Report August 2015 - Council spending on discretionary housing payments
26 August, 2015
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
Furnishing Homes, Furnishing Lives: An Initial Discussion of How Furnished Tenancies Support Sustainable Communities
24 August, 2015
An Initial Discussion of How Furnished Tenancies Support Sustainable Communities
Safe as Houses
21 August, 2015
Crime and changing tenure patterns
Burglary is likely to be more common in areas with higher levels of private rented housing than in social housing neighbourhoods, according to a report by independent think tank
Finance Bill 2015 - 16: Impact of clause 24 on private landlords
21 August, 2015
NLA briefing report
Social housing: 'pay to stay' at market rents
21 August, 2015
Parliament UK research briefing
This note provides information on the 'pay to stay' scheme in England under which social landlords can charge tenants with an income of over £60,000 market or near market rents. The Government intends to make higher rents compulsory in due course for social tenants earning over £40,000 in London and £30,000 elsewhere
Benefit Sanctions and Homelessness
20 August, 2015
A report by the North East Homelessness Think Tank
research to: Develop a robust understanding of the administration and impact of benefit sanctions in relation to vulnerable people in the North East, and develop an alternative vision for the benefits system which both supports people into work and prevents homelessness
Isolation and Hunger
20 August, 2015
Report on the reality of the school holidays for struggling families
Hoarding: Key considerations and examples of best practice
18 August, 2015
NHF Report
This report draws on the learning from a series of regional events organised by the NHF and Sitra in February and March 2015. The principal aim of the events was to raise awareness of the complex issues surrounding hoarding disorder, to share learning and highlight innovative practice, and to identify future housing workforce training and development needs
The homelessness monitor: Wales 2015
11 August, 2015
The homelessness monitor is a longitudinal study that provides an independent analysis of the impact on homelessness of recent economic and policy developments across the UK
The key areas of interest are the homelessness consequences of the post-2007 economic recession, and the subsequent recovery, as well as welfare reform and cuts
Rogue Landlord Database
24 July, 2015
Environmental Health News on-line
The rogue landlord database lists every prosecution under the Housing Act 2004 between 2006 and 2014
Findings from the local authority insight survey wave 28: Universal Credit
21 July, 2015
This research presents findings from wave 28 of the local authority insight survey. It looks at preparations for Universal Credit
English housing survey 2013 to 2014: household report
17 July, 2015
Annual report on households in England, covering themes such as housing needs, housing moves, and vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
Where do we add value? - It's the local economy, stupid.
17 July, 2015
Weaver Vale Trust Report
This report estimates the economic impact of the housing, retail, financial inclusion and employment programmes operated by Weaver Vale Housing Trust in 2014/15
LIN Member Report July 2015 - The Summer Budget
14 July, 2015
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick.
Benefit Cap modelling
13 July, 2015
NHF Report
Briefing on Benefit Cap modelling which indicates the difference between housing credit and average rent for families with two and three children
LIN Member Report June 2014 - Response of Housing Associations to "Helping People to Find and Stay in Work"
17 June, 2015
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
Benefit cuts: where might they come from?
26 May, 2015
The Conservative Party manifesto confirmed a long-discussed commitment to find a further £12bn of cuts
The Conservative Party manifesto confirmed a long-discussed commitment to find a further £12bn of cuts to the annual social security budget, and to do this by 201718. Thats £11.8bn cut in todays prices (as all subsequent figures in this observation will be). This observation, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, briefly summarises previous IFS analysis of the context for these choices and the kinds of options that are on the table.
LIN Member Report May 2015 - Response of Social Landlords To Tenant Povert
08 May, 2015
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
LIN Member Report April 2015 - Deregulation Bill ("Retaliatory" or "Revenge" Eviction Act)
20 April, 2015
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
LIN Member Report March 2015 - The Budget
24 March, 2015
This member report is written by Neil Merrick
On the welfare front, the government confirmed that migrants from the European Economic Area will not be able to claim universal credit from July. There will be also be more co-ordinated efforts to tackle benefit fraud. As ever, housing providers are calling for more direct government investment and, for a change, there is the prospect of that actually happening. But there is a general election looming first, an event that could potentially overshadow everything that was announced by the Chancellor last week.
LIN member report February 2015 - Benefit sanctions: how tenants pay the penalty for not having a job
20 February, 2015
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
It has been one of the hottest topics of the past 12 months and is likely to remain so - both up to the general election and beyond. Should people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) who fail to attend job interviews or demonstrate they are actively seeking work have their benefit stopped? And for how long? This LIN member report looks at the rules as they stand, the impact they are having, and where people who are affected can go for advice.
LIN Member Report January 2015 - Third Party Deductions For Rent Arrears & Alternative Payment Arrangements
23 January, 2015
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick.
Benefits cap is getting more into work, research claims
15 December, 2014
Studies for the DWP found those affected by the cap were 41% more likely to get a job than people who were unaffected
The Benefits of Tackling Worklessness and Low Pay
15 December, 2014
Joseph Rowntree Report
This report explores the gains to government and to local economies of reducing worklessness and low pay, in terms of a reduced social security bill, increased economic activity and overall benefits to society.
Focus on Inequality and Growth
15 December, 2014
Report from the OECD Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs
Will your vote count? - A look at the parties' policies on housing and welfare
08 December, 2014
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
This LIN member report looks at what is likely to happen to the bedroom tax, universal credit and the benefit cap under different political leadership.
Running up debt: Why poorer households can't afford council tax
11 November, 2014
LIN member report written by Neil Merrick
This LIN member report looks at what has happened in the 18 months since the abolition of CTB and ahead to what could happen next year as local authorities keep their council tax support schemes under review
Meet the new tenants: How early support can ensure longer-lasting tenancies
16 October, 2014
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
This LIN member report gives members more detail on how offering early support to prospective tenants reduces tenant turnover and therefore voids. The report also shows how tenants who attend a workshop or training session will be far less likely to run into financial and other problems and so remain in their home longer.
Making Contributions: Reforms to create a social security system for the 21st Century Count
15 October, 2014
Policy Exchange Report - Reforms to create a social security system for the 21st Century
This report recommends a new system that will simultaneously bring the social security system back to its founding roots and ensure it is fit for the 21st Century
LIN Member Report September 2014 - Universal Credit an update & How to work effectively with tenants on UC
16 September, 2014
This LIN member report is written by Rebecca Wilkie
This report briefs LIN members on Ashton Pioneer Homes' experience of supporting tenants claiming Universal Credit; and how they are using the lessons they are learning in order to prepare for full implementation of Universal Credit. The report aims to update landlords on ways in which they can best mitigate the risk of soaring rent arrears.
Private Rented Sector Code: 1st edition
12 September, 2014
This cross-industry code is intended to promote best practice in the letting and management of private rented sector housing in England
Welfare sanctions and conditionality in the UK
11 September, 2014
JRH Report
Conditional welfare arrangements require people to behave in a certain way to access cash benefits, housing or support services. These conditions tend to be enforced through penalties or 'sanctions' that reduce, suspend or end access to these goods. This Round-up considers how effective welfare conditionality is, what the impacts are, how different groups fare, and to what extent it can be morally justified
LIN Press Release - Universal Credit and Credit Unions - DWP update
26 August, 2014
Universal Credit & Credit Unions - Update statement from the DWP
LIN Member Report August 2014 - Stress Suffered by Staff Associated with Welfare Reform
15 August, 2014
This LIN member report is written by Kevin McCready
This LIN member report looks at how housing staff who have more personal contact with tenants are suffering from increased levels of stress and absenteeism and looks at ways to minimise this negative impact on staffing levels
Universal Credit One Year In - Full Report
13 August, 2014
Report by NHF
The experiences of housing associations in pathfinder areas
Universal Credit One Year In - Executive Summary
13 August, 2014
Report by NHF
The experiences of housing associations in pathfinder areas
Stepping Stones
30 July, 2014
The role of the voluntary sector in future welfare to work schemes
How can volunteers and voluntary organisations provide much needed engagement with local people? This report aims to tackle these questions and provides real examples of how services can be commissioned in a way that truly enables community-led delivery
Government response: SSAC report on the cumulative impact of welfare reform
25 July, 2014
A letter from the Minister for Welfare Reform to the chair of SSAC responding to the SSAC report on the cumulative impact of welfare reform
LIN member report July 2014 - Money goes begging: how councils could spend more on discretionary housing payments
24 July, 2014
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
This LIN member report highlights that many Local Authorities have, again, not spent the full amount of their DHP budget, in fact the latest figures show that more than £20m that local authorities were allocated to spend on DHP payments in 2013/14 remained unspent. This money has now been lost as local authorities cannot carry over any underspend from 2013/14 to 2014/15. A record £165m is available for councils to allocate in DHPs in 2014/15.
A lifestyle choice for families?
24 July, 2014
Report from LSE on private renting in London, New York, Berlin and Randstad
MPs say Employment and Support Allowance needs 'fundamental redesign'
24 July, 2014
The ESA system has serious flaws causing "considerable distress and anxiety" and requires "fundamental redesign", according to the Work and Pensions Committee
The impact of recent reforms to Local Housing Allowances: Summary of key findings
18 July, 2014
DWP Report
This report summarises the main findings from a series of technical research papers that form the final outputs from the independent evaluation of the recent changes to HB claims assessed under the LHA rules in the PRS
London's poor struggling with 'new poll tax'
17 July, 2014
CPAG Report
London's poorest families are struggling to afford to live in the face of a "new poll tax", according to this report
Local Housing Allowance: monitoring the impact of changes
16 July, 2014
These are the final reports evaluating the changes to the Local Housing Allowance system of Housing Benefit from April 2011
This report summarises the main findings from a series of technical research papers that form the final outputs from the independent evaluation of the recent changes to Housing Benefit claims assessed under the Local Housing Allowance rules in the private rented sector in Great Britain, which were rolled out to claimants between April 2011 and December 2012
Dignity and Opportunity for All: Securing the rights of disabled people in the austerity era
15 July, 2014
Report published by Just Fair
This report finds that the UK government is in breach of its legal obligations to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of disabled people
The growth of the private rented sector: what do local authorities think?
15 July, 2014
Report from The Smith Institute
This report aims to understand views from local government on the changing role of the PRS in local housing markets
Evaluation of Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy
15 July, 2014
DWP report interim report
Thousands of low-income tenants have been plunged into "heat or eat" hardship as a result of the bedroom tax, according to this analysis of the policy's impact
UK government's welfare reforms piling misery on the poorest households
11 July, 2014
The devastating impact of the government's welfare reforms on people living in social housing is laid bare in the Real Life Reform report
On My Own
07 July, 2014
Barnardos report on young care leavers
Many young people leaving the care system are struggling to find housing or are living in unsuitable, unsafe or insecure accommodation, new research has revealed
The distributional effects of the UK government's tax and welfare reforms in Wales
03 July, 2014
Institute for Fiscal Studies' analysis of Welfare Reforms in Wales
This report is an updated analysis of the personal tax and benefit reforms implemented, or due to be implemented, by the UK's coalition government from when it was elected in May 2010 up to and including April 2015. This includes those measures that had been pre-announced by the previous Labour government which the new government chose to implement. Attention is restricted to personal tax and benefit reforms alone: it does not examine the impact of reforms to corporation tax and other taxes formally paid by businesses, nor the impact of changes to spending on public services
Universal Credit: Towards an effective poverty reduction strategy
03 July, 2014
The report asserts that people will have to work fewer hours to escape poverty under Universal Credit
The key findings of the report are that Universal Credit will have a net positive impact on poverty through both 'pockets' and 'prospects'. However we find that the impact varies by both household type and income level
UK Housing Review
26 June, 2014
An update to the UKHR 2014
Within one year of the end of office, the coalition government's plans for housing, welfare benefits and the economy are now showing their effects. Economic recovery has begun, but so far while house prices and transactions have moved upwards new housing output remains depressingly low compared with growing needs. Drawing on the latest statistics, the Briefing assesses the implications of policy and market changes in twelve key topic areas, together with dedicated pages on Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English regions
Housing benefit size criteria
24 June, 2014
Impacts for social sector tenants and options for reform
Reductions in levels of Housing Benefit for social sector tenants based on occupancy levels were introduced in April 2013. It is often referred to as the 'spare room subsidy', 'under-occupancy charge' and 'bedroom tax' but this study uses the more neutral term of the 'Housing Benefit size criteria'. It sets out a range of reform options that would reduce adverse impacts of the policy
The Impact of Welfare Reform
24 June, 2014
The impact of welfare reform on social landlords and tenants
Welfare reform was one of the early targets of drastic public spending cuts. This research examines the impact on two of the groups most directly affected: social landlords and their tenants
LIN Member Report June 2014 - Response of Housing Associations to "Helping People to Find and Stay in Work"
17 June, 2014
This LIN member report is written by Kevin McCready
This LIN member report reviews the various ways that Housing Associations work with tenants to improve their employment prospects and the various approaches that have been taken
New Approaches
29 May, 2014
New approaches of tackling tenancy fraud
This briefing will explore how housing providers across England have approached the fraudulent use of social housing, including preventing and detecting a range of fraudulent activities. It will highlight emerging issues and risks in tackling tenancy fraud and establish good practice from providers in how to meet these new challenges
LIN Member Report May 2014 - Abuse and Violence towards Staff - What Can Be Done?
16 May, 2014
This LIN member report is written by Kevin McCready and Duncan Page
For Housing staff, a correlation between violence towards Housing staff and the current Welfare Reform programme has been suggested with many Housing Officers putting the increase in violence and aggression down to housing reforms such as the 'bedroom tax', abolition of council tax benefits and the introduction of the benefits cap. As the government' s welfare reforms continue with the roll-out of Universal Credit, housing professionals are reporting that their relationships with some tenants are growing increasingly hostile. Landlords are reacting to recent events by tightening up their policies and procedures to safeguard staff, is this on your agenda? Read our latest report to find out how you can support your staff to be more resilient.
Discretionary Housing Payments Guidance Manual
23 April, 2014
DWP guide which includes a Local Authority Good Practice Guide - April 2014
Multiple Cuts for the Poorest Families
22 April, 2014
Oxfam report
The UK government has introduced a number of changes to the benefit system in recent years and 1.75 million of the poorest families have seen their benefits cut to date due to welfare reform. For each individual change, the government publishes an impact assessment, but it has not assessed how they overlap. This report identifies how many of the poorest families have seen their benefits cut by at least one of these changes, and how much worse off they are.
Jumping the Shark
22 April, 2014
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)report
This report suggests that a one-off £450 million levy on the payday loan industry would be enough to create a sector of not-for-profit lenders to rival firms like Wonga, Quick Quid and Payday Express lenders to take on what it calls 'Britain's legal loan sharks'.
LIN member report April 2014 - One Year On: A Follow-Up Report on the 'Bedroom Tax'
17 April, 2014
This LIN member report is written by Viv Ashley
In our first report briefing members on the so-called 'bedroom tax', we urged members to be alert to ongoing developments as this particularly controversial element of welfare reform continued to impact on tenants and landlords. In the six month since that report was published much has occurred, and here we update members on matters of particular interest.
Direct Payments Demonstration Projects Landlord Learning Document
01 April, 2014
This publication pulls together key issues and learning that the organisations involved collectively agree on and also provides practical examples.
The registered social landlords (RSLs) and councils involved in the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects have learned a lot about their tenants, staff, culture, systems and practices during the last 18 months. This publication pulls together the key issues and learning that they collectively agree on and provides examples.
Local authority led pilots: preparing for Universal Credit implementation
27 March, 2014
DWP Universal Credit Guidance
This guidance covers the experiences and learning of the 12 local authority led pilots that looked at preparing claimants for Universal Credit and ran between September 2012 and December 2013.
LIN Member Report March 2014 - The Budget
25 March, 2014
This member report is written by Neil Merrick
In line with recent trends, many announcements were made in the days before George Osborne addressed the House of Commons. This included news about garden cities and the extension of the Help to Buy equity loan scheme. But there was still enough left over to make the Budget speech interesting, if not exactly ground breaking.
The impact of the bedroom tax on stock management by social landlords
14 March, 2014
CIH Scotland, in conjunction with the Scottish Housing Best Value Network (SHBVN) sample survey of social landlords
In February 2014 CIH Scotland, in conjunction with the Scottish Housing Best Value Network (SHBVN) carried out a sample survey of social landlords to assess whether the bedroom tax had had any significant impact on landlords' ability to manage their stock effectively. The survey used relet time data provided by its members to SHBVN to provide a statistical context, then supplemented this with a small number of questions on general trends identified by landlords.
Monitoring the impact of recent measures affecting Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowances
12 March, 2014
Monitoring the impact of recent measures affecting Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowances in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland
This report is based on primary research with landlords, claimants and housing advisers undertaken in three local housing markets in the province - Armagh, Greater Shankill and West Belfast
Wellbeing Valuation Approach
10 March, 2014
Report by Affinity Sutton - measuring the social impact of community investment
Smarter Sanctions
06 March, 2014
Policy Exchange Report
This report estimates that nearly 5,600 claimants per month receive a first 'lower tier' sanction violation which is later overturned. Whilst they eventually receive the full sum in payment, the delay while appeals and requests for reconsideration take place can be problematic for a family or individual's cash flow.
English housing survey 2011 to 2012: household report
26 February, 2014
Annual report on households in England, covering themes such as housing needs, housing moves, and vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
Bedroom Tax Toolkit
20 February, 2014
Coast and Country Housing Association Bedroom Tax appeal toolkit
This bedroom tax appeal pack contains simple template letters for different appeal grounds such as room size, usage, need for extra bedrooms for disability purposes etc.
Analysing the impact of the UK Government's welfare reforms in Wales - Stage 3 analysis
19 February, 2014
Part 2: Impacts in local authority areas
This report includes analysis that has been undertaken by the Welsh Government as part of Stage 3 of the programme of research to assess the impact of the UK Government's welfare reforms in Wales
Counting the Cuts
19 February, 2014
Report in regards to the impact of the UK Governments cuts programme
This report, published on behalf of the Campaign for a Fair Society, summarises the impact of the UK Government's cuts programme. It demonstrates how the cuts target people in poverty and disabled people
Renting: the true cost
19 February, 2014
Lifetime renters in the capital spend £410,000, a third more than the rest of the country, and other expenses can mean it's cheaper to buy
LIN Member Report February 2014 - Poverty: The Cost of Being Poor
13 February, 2014
This member report is written by Kevin McCready
The perception that the poor pay a higher cost for services and goods is not a new one. This idea has been recently given added focus with the ongoing reform of the welfare system. This report looks at examples of the various ways that this "poverty premium" can manifest itself and gives good examples of how housing providers are trying to support their tenants.
Helping unemployed young people to find private-sector work
11 February, 2014
Joseph Rowntree Report
This report investigates the initial labour market experiences of two young people working in multinational, private sector companies, and the role of employers and support services
Early impacts of Welfare Reform on rent arrears
10 February, 2014
Research Report 2 from the Scottish Housing Regulator
This report includes the findings of the second phase of the Scottish Housing Regulators research on the early impact of Welfare Reform on social landlords. The research covers the period to September 2013, six months into the removal of the Housing Benefit Spare Room Subsidy (commonly known as the 'bedroom tax')
Funding Matters - Extra Care Housing
05 February, 2014
Housing Learning and Improvement Network Report
This recent update of the Funding Extra Care Housing Technical Brief details the sources of capital and revenue funding driving new investment opportunities for developing new extra care housing and maintaining the viability of existing provision in England
Adequate Housing
04 February, 2014
United Nations report on adequate housing and housing benefits in Great Britain
Report of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context, Raquel Rolnik
UK's private rented sector set to grow further
03 February, 2014
The UK's private rented sector has more than doubled in size in the last 14 years, and it is set to keep expanding
This report examines the private rented sector in detail, discussing the dynamics underpinning the recent growth in the sector and examining the policy moves to encourage more institutional investment. It includes our forecasts for the size of the rental sector and rental movements in the UK
Back to Rising Damp
30 January, 2014
Addressing Housing Quality in the Private Rented Sector
Private renting is the fastest growing sector of housing. Low levels of housebuilding, diminishing stock, rising prices and a shift in state spending from building houses to subsidising rent, mean that the percentage of households renting their homes increased in all English regions in the decade to 2011
S1/2014
29 January, 2014
Details of the government contribution towards DHP for local authorities (LAs) in 2014/15
High rents push fifth more households below minimum income standard
28 January, 2014
The number of households lacking a sufficient income to accommodate their minimum needs has shot up by a fifth over three years, Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports
The Index 2013
27 January, 2014
The results of a tenant survey that was designed to find out about the issues affecting residents' lives
For the last two years Affinity Sutton have surveyed a cross section of residents nationwide to find out what they think about some of the really important issues affecting their lives - finance, energy use, internet use, employment and community
Households below a minimum income standard: 2008/9 to 2011/12
24 January, 2014
Joseph Rowntree Report
The Minimum Income Standard (MIS) shows how much households need for an acceptable standard of living according to members of the public. The latest household income data show trends in the numbers living below this threshold up to early 2012. This research reveals that the number of households living on incomes below the level needed to afford an adequate standard of living has increased by a fifth in just three years.
LIN member Report January 2014 - Access to Department for Work and Pensions Services using 0845 Numbers and IT
15 January, 2014
This member report is written by Kevin McCready
The replacement of the DWP walk-in offices by call centres during the 1990s started a shift towards accessing the associated services via phone. Given that most people did not have mobile phones at that time (especially those on lower incomes) access was based on BT land lines to the 0845 and 0800 numbers. At that time calls to these numbers were relatively cheap (or free) from a land line. With the changes to the benefits system in the UK since the 1990s and in particular with welfare reform, the need to access DWP services by phone has increased significantly. The introduction of the Universal credit system from October 2013 has seen the government also now promoting the use of IT to access the services that Benefits Claimants now require. This report looks at the: Impact of using mobile phones & The Results of promoting a culture of "Digital Inclusion".
Tackling the advice deficit: a strategy for access to advice and legal support on social welfare law in England and Wales
10 January, 2014
Report of the Low Commission on the future of advice and legal support
Communities Count
01 January, 2014
The Four Steps To Unlocking Social Value
More than two-thirds of local authorities and housing associations say delivering social value has led to better service delivery and community relations
Where is housing Heading - Where are we coming from?
31 December, 2013
CIH briefing
A new series of policy discussions on the key issues facing housing over the next five years. Two years after the coalition government published its housing strategy Laying the Foundations, and 18 months ahead of the General Election, this report takes the opportunity to pause and consider developments since 2010.
Where is housing heading - Looking to the future
31 December, 2013
CIH Report
A new series of policy discussions on the key issues facing housing over the next five years. Two years after the coalition government published its housing strategy Laying the Foundations, and 18 months ahead of the General Election, this report takes the opportunity to pause and consider developments since 2010: where we have ended up, what's worked, what hasn't, what we've learnt about the policy positions of the main parties and where things might be heading next.
Closer to the edge?
30 December, 2013
Report from the Resolution Foundation
Millions of UK households will face "perilous" levels of debt when interest rates begin to rise, according to a think tank focused on living standards
In transition: Romanian and Bulgarian migration to the UK
23 December, 2013
IPPR Report
In January 2014, temporary restrictions on the working rights of Romanian and Bulgarian citizens in the UK will be lifted. This report outlines the potential impacts of new migration flows from eastern Europe and identifies the key lessons UK policymakers can take from the previous wave of new migration, in 2004.
Use of Discretionary Housing Payments
20 December, 2013
Analysis of mid-year returns from local authorities
Starting in 2013/14, LAs were requested to provide details to DWP of their use of DHP funds. This information is being collected twice yearly, in the middle of the financial year and at the end of the financial year. This statistical release presents a summary of the information in the first set of returns, which cover the period from April to September 2013
Summary of Discretionary Housing Payment awards by local authority
20 December, 2013
DWP statistics
Starting in 2013 to 14, local authorities were requested to provide details to DWP of their use of Discretionary Housing Payment funds. This information is being collected twice yearly, in the middle of the financial year and at the end of the financial year. This statistical release presents a summary of the information in the first set of returns, which cover the period from April to September 2013.
LIN Member Report December 2013 - The Autumn Statement
17 December, 2013
This member report is written by Neil Merrick
Home Truths 2013/14: the housing market in England
10 December, 2013
NHF Report
This report shows England's distorted economic recovery is pushing an extra 310 working people a day on to housing benefit.
LIN Member Report December 2013 - Indebted lives: the complexities of life in debt
27 November, 2013
Report about the nine million people in 'serious' debt across the UK
Across the UK approximately 8.8 million people are over-indebted. These are individuals who have been at least three months behind with their bills in the last six months or have said that they feel their debts are a heavy burden This Money Advice Service research analysed their characteristics and identifies smaller sub-groups that display similar situations, attitudes and motivations
Real London Lives
27 November, 2013
Independent Research - Stage 1
The first stage of the research involved a telephone survey in August 2013 with a random sample of g15 tenants. There were 1,648 respondents. This initial report gives a brief overview of their financial situations at the time.
LIN Member Report November 2013 - Working in a UC Pathfinder Area - A Case Study Report
25 November, 2013
LIN Member Report - November 2013
This member report looks at how the early roll-out of Universal Credit in the North West Pathfinder areas is currently testing elements of the system in order to inform full implementation across the UK. Ashton-Under-Lyne was the first job centre to accept UC claims in April 2013, and Ashton Pioneer Homes is one of the first social landlords to experience its impact.
Paying Housing Benefit direct to tenants in social rented housing
22 November, 2013
Council tenants receive Housing Benefit as a rent rebate. Housing associations invariably require tenants' HB be paid direct to them
Maxed Out - Serious Personal Debt in Britain
20 November, 2013
Centre for Social Justice Report
This report builds on previous research, exploring how the financial and social landscape has changed following the financial crash and how personal debt has continued to grow. While not all debt is bad and while everyone across the income spectrum can struggle financially, the report focusses on 'problem debt' and the impact it can have on low-income and vulnerable people
Tackling in-work poverty by supporting dual - earning families
18 November, 2013
JRT Report
This research reviews trends in employment among couple families with children and considers policies and the wider context in four areas likely to affect their employment rate: family leave, childcare, the labour market, and the tax and benefit system
Under-occupation of social housing: Housing Benefit entitlement
14 November, 2013
Parliamentary briefing - Updated November 2013
This note provides information on under-occupation in the social rented sector, summarises evidence of the impact of Housing Benefit deductions and responses by landlords and tenants
Public perceptions of the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS)
08 November, 2013
A report of research carried out by the Department for Work and Pensions
Benefit cap: 36,000 accept work help
07 November, 2013
New figures show almost 36,000 people potentially affected by the benefit cap have accepted support to get into work
Community and voluntary services in the age of austerity
07 November, 2013
Unison Report
This report lays bare the impact of austerity on services provided by the community and voluntary sector and on the workers for whom providing a service is not just a job, but part of a deep personal commitment to the people they support
Credit crunched: Single parents, universal credit and the struggle to make work pay
05 November, 2013
Gingerbread report
Universal credit, which is being gradually introduced across the country from this October onwards, is rolling together six separate benefits into one payment. This is being done in order to simplify the system. The government has emphasised that this new welfare scheme is being designed to 'make work pay - at each and every hour',: encouraging people to move into work, or increase their working hours. This research suggests that for many single parents, work still won’t pay under universal credit.
Universal Credit: early progress
05 November, 2013
The Public Accounts Committee publishes its 30th Report on Universal Credit: early progress
New approaches to market rented housing
30 October, 2013
CIH Report
This briefing looks at the potential opportunities and challenges involved in letting homes at a market rent. It looks at the options for both: Managing properties on behalf of existing private landlords establishing a portfolio of properties by purchasing and/or developing them for this purpose.
LIN Member Report October 2013 - Watching the landlords: why the PRS faces greater scrutiny
24 October, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
How to support households affected by the overall benefit cap
24 October, 2013
In June 2010 government announced that it would cap the total amount of welfare benefits any working age household with children can receive at £500 per week
Experiences and effects of the benefit cap in Haringey
23 October, 2013
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the independent voice for housing and the home of professional standards
Making the Links: Poverty, Ethnicity and Social Networks
22 October, 2013
Joseph Rowntree Report
This research is part of JRF's focus on the links between poverty and ethnicity, and examines how social networks help or hinder people in moving out of poverty
State of the Nation 2013: social mobility and child poverty in Great Britain
18 October, 2013
Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission
This report highlights the legally-binding goal of ending child poverty by 2020 is likely to be missed by a considerable margin, and progress on social mobility may be undermined by the twin problems of high youth unemployment and falling living standards.
The impact of changes to Housing Benefit in Wales
17 October, 2013
Commons Select Committee Report
The Welsh Affairs Committee says that the Government should carefully monitor the impact of housing benefit changes.
Testing DWP's assessment of the impact of the social rented sector size criterion on Housing Benefit costs and other factors
15 October, 2013
Research questions bedroom tax's ability to make savings - The government may have significantly over-estimated the savings likely to be generated by the bedroom tax
Public think benefit cap claimants should work or move
10 October, 2013
Independent research published on public view about the benefit cap
This quantitative research looked at public attitudes to the Benefit Cap as well as some of the early pre-implementation effects on a specific group of claimants who had received additional Jobcentre Plus support prior to full implementation of the policy.
Re-energising The Green Agenda
09 October, 2013
Report by the All Party Parliamentary Group calls for green deal social landlords consultation
LIN Member Report September 2013 - Can't Pay, Can't Move: A Progress Report on the 'Bedroom Tax'
27 September, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Vivienne Ashley
In-work poverty, ethnicity and workplace cultures
26 September, 2013
JRF Report
This research is part of JRF's focus on the links between poverty and ethnicity, and examines the role of workplace cultures in routes out of poverty for people of all ethnicities
A High Cost to Pay
24 September, 2013
Homeless link report
Homeless Link's new report A High Cost to Pay, shows that those who are homeless are being disproportionately affected by benefit sanctions, particularly those who are disabled
Real Life Reform - Report 1
24 September, 2013
Coalition watch report
Nearly two thirds of households in Real Life Reform's study on the impact of the government's welfare reforms have less than £10 per week to live on after rent and essentials, such as food and bills. The first report in the study examines the impact of welfare reforms on 74 households across the north of England and includes some hard hitting facts.
Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Wales 2013
20 September, 2013
Joseph Rowntree Foundation survey finds thousands in arrears due to so called 'bedroom tax'
Universal Credit works for employers: quick guide
18 September, 2013
A quick guide for partner organisations about what Universal Credit means for employers
Sector study on governance of housing associations registered in Wales
18 September, 2013
This research study assesses how well housing association Boards meet certain standards of governance in use across Wales
Welsh: Universal Credit works for employers
18 September, 2013
A quick guide for partner organisations about what Universal Credit means for employers in Welsh
Universal Credit: early progress
05 September, 2013
Report from the National Audit Office
This report concludes that the DWP was overly ambitious in both the timetable and scope of the programme. The DWP took risks to try to meet the short timescale and used a new project management approach which it had never before used on a programme of this size and complexity. It was unable to explain how it originally decided on its ambitious plans or evaluated their feasibility. The National Audit Office has concluded that the DWP has not achieved value for money in its early implementation of Universal Credit.
The Gender Impact of Welfare Reform
30 August, 2013
Scottish Government report
Welfare reforms introduced by the UK Government through the Welfare Reform Act 2012 as well as through successive budgets, Autumn Statements and the Spending Review have resulted in significant changes to the benefits system. Many of these changes have a significant impact on women, largely due to women's caring responsibilities. This report explores the gender impact of Welfare Reform on women
Making Discretionary Housing Payments work for disabled people
15 August, 2013
According to this report from the Papworth Trust 1 in 3 disabled people are refused DHPs
Stressed: A Review of London's Private Rental Sector
13 August, 2013
Report from the Centre for London
The local impacts of welfare reform
12 August, 2013
CESI Report
The study, which is the first ever assessment of the cumulative impact of the Government's Welfare Reforms, compares the financial impact on benefit recipients in a given area with the local job opportunities and potential to move into cheaper accommodation. The report finds only one in eight households facing cuts will be able to find work
LIN Member Report August 2013 - Payday lenders - is their number up
07 August, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
Responses to the Universal Credit local support services framework
05 August, 2013
In February this year Lord Freud published the Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework which was developed in partnership with local authorities
The framework sets out the principles for providing support for claimants with additional or complex needs to help them make and manage Universal Credit claims and prepare for work. The Framework sought comments on the proposed approach.This report summarises the responses received which have been categorised into a number of recurring themes.
Sanctions and conditionality briefing
02 August, 2013
New conditions and associated sanctions are being attached to welfare benefits. This is intended to reflect the principle behind Universal Credit that people who can, must look for work - NHF report
Claimants will fall into one of four conditionality groups to reflect the degree of work-related commitment expected of them. The conditions will be introduced with Universal Credit, although the same sanctions will be trialled under Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) from 22 October 2012
Rent Payment and Collection Under Universal Credit
31 July, 2013
CIH Scotland practical guidance for Scottish social landlords on rent payment and collection under Universal Credit
This practice guidance, is aimed primarily at Scottish social landlords. It is relevant for staff across a range of job functions given the scale and range of changes under welfare reform. It looks at how it can be made easier for tenants to pay rent, and how landlords can adapt and improve rent collection arrangements
Nowhere to turn? Changes to emergency support
26 July, 2013
Childrens society report
Th report reveals that money given to local authorities to replace the DWPs Social Fund has almost been halved, compared to equivalent spending since 2010. It also shows that almost two-thirds of local authorities are no longer providing interest-free emergency loans through their replacement schemes. We fear this could drive vulnerable families deeper into debt, as they are forced to turn to loan sharks and high cost money lenders.
LIN Member Reprot July 2013 - Local Authority Led Universal Credit Pilots: A summary of early learning from the pilots
25 July, 2013
DWP Report
This paper presents early findings (October 2012 to March 2013) from the LA Led UC Pilots analysis and is based on information prepared by each pilot authority. The research report sets out 'challenges' including limited access to internet amongst claimants and widespread problems with debt and rent arrears
Should I Stay or Should I go - 100 days of the Bedroom Tax
23 July, 2013
Aragon Housing Association Report
This report highlights the huge shortage of suitable smaller homes for people to down-size into if they choose to move to save money. It also shows how some disabled tenants face having to move out of their adapted homes, at huge cost to either themselves or the tax payer.
Rent payment and collection under universal credit - guidance for landlords
22 July, 2013
CIH Report
Following the November 2012 guidance on the bedroom tax, this CIH Scotland guidance focuses on practical rent payment and collection issues for social landlords. It was produced with financial support from the Scottish Government.
Divided City? The value of mixed communities in expensive neighbourhoods
18 July, 2013
LSE report
This report explores what it is like to a be a social housing tenant in expensive areas of London and what the benefits of spending scarce resources on low-income families in these areas are.
Breaking free from payday loan debt
18 July, 2013
Payday Loan Survival Guide from Govan Law Centre explains how someone can break free from payday lending debts, and take control of their money and life
Does Universal Credit enable households to reach a minimum income standard?
17 July, 2013
Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report
This report looks at the impact Universal Credit (UC)will have on the disposable incomes of families with low or no earnings. It examines whether they have enough to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living, as measured by the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) for the United Kingdom
LIN Member Report July 2013 - Topping Up Peter to Pay Paul (Improving Tenant Finances to Protect Rent payments)
16 July, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Viv Ashley
Real Life Reform
12 July, 2013
Liverpool Housing Trust Project brief - Monitoring the real impact of Welfare Reform across the North 2013-2014
A research project which brings together case studies of social housing customers affected by these welfare reform changes. The research will track their journey over a period of time to really understand and capture the financial and human impact welfare reform changes may have.
Boom-time for legal loan sharks
12 July, 2013
Report from the Centre for Labour and Social Studies on how deregulation, market failure and a crisis in wages has led to the rise of payday lenders
This paper calls for the government to set a cap on the cost of credit and end self-regulation. It also calls for the introduction of a reasonable rollover limit, restrictions on the amount of times a person can take out loans in order to service the interest of existing or 'live' loans and an obligation on all lenders to put all credit transactions through a credit reference agency
Welfare reform - how are landlords preparing?
12 July, 2013
A summary of findings from a CIH/Circle Housing survey
A survey of how social landlords across Britain are preparing to meet the challenges posed by welfare reform in general and the under-occupation penalty (known as the bedroom tax) in particular.
Welfare reform: How landlords are preparing
11 July, 2013
House Exchange and CIH report
In February 2013, House Exchange (part of Circle Housing) and the CIH came together to design and carry out a survey of how social landlords across Britain are preparing to meet the challenges posed by welfare reform in general and the under occupation penalty (or 'bedroom tax') in particular. This report summarises the survey's key findings
Bad Weather, Good Habits
10 July, 2013
Encouraging social housing tenants to save more
According to this report social landlords should help tenants save money by allowing them to overpay their rent and shifting the excess into a separate account
The Bedroom Tax in Merseyside
05 July, 2013
Our report highlights the impact of the bedroom tax after 100 days
Understanding Landlords
05 July, 2013
A study of private landlords in the UK using the Wealth and Assets Survey
The last 15 years has seen a revolution in the private rented sector (PRS), with more people renting privately and an increase in the number of private landlords. However, the evidence base on PRS landlords has always been limited in scope and detail. This report fills that gap with robust evidence on PRS landlords and their tenants from a largescale nationally representative dataset: the Wealth and Assets Survey 2008-10.
Evaluation of the temporary jobs pilot: Proving Talent
28 June, 2013
Report by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion for the Give Us A Chance consortium of social landlords
The first five Proving Talent pilot partnerships that were developed entailed a substantial commitment of over £400,000 to 56 temporary jobs and two cohorts on self-employment awareness courses during 2012-13. This evaluation uses a mixture of methods to capture the success and outcomes of these pilots
High Risk Renewals: Tax credits customers' experiences of and responses to the High Risk Renewals intervention
28 June, 2013
Report by CESI
Inclusion conducted 57 face-to-face depth interviews with tax credits customers who were identified as having recently undergone a High Risk Renewals (HRR) intervention
Poverty and problematic debt: what can social housing providers do?
25 June, 2013
The current economic situation and planned welfare reform have led to concerns over a potential increase in problematic debt among social housing residents
LIN Member Report June 2013 - Still money to spare: how councils are failing to make the most of discretionary housing payments
21 June, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
Housing and employment services: Collaboration in a time of change
18 June, 2013
A joint publication from the Employment Related Services Association and the Federation highlighting successful partnerships between housing associations and employment support providers
Addressing the poverty premium - Approaches to regulation
13 June, 2013
JRHT and Consumer Futures report
This report, based on research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, is about how people on low incomes pay more for essential goods and services and what can be done about it.
Welfare reform to 'push up' homelessness in Wales
11 June, 2013
The UK government's welfare reforms are likely to increase homelessness in Wales
Implementation of Welfare Reform by Local Authorities
10 June, 2013
The Government Response to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee Report: Implementation of Welfare Reform by Local Authorities
The Communities and Local Government Select Committee has conducted an inquiry into the implementation of the welfare reforms by local authorities
Size Criteria ('bedroom tax') briefing
03 June, 2013
An updated briefing on the Government's under-occupation penalty, which came into effect on 1 April 2013
A place to stay, a place to call home
31 May, 2013
A Strategy for the Private Rented Sector in Scotland
Downsizing in later life and appropriate housing size across our lifetime
29 May, 2013
Think tank report calls for more support for downsizing
A lack of attractive retirement housing and negative perceptions are preventing larger family homes being made available for younger buyers, a study has found
High cost consumer credit
23 May, 2013
Commons Library Standard Note
This note outlines issues about high cost credit lending and attempts to reform it. It looks at evidence from various academic research and other reports into the impact of the sector on individuals both here and abroad. It also looks at the opportunities for other lenders to enter the market and to offer more competition to the current market leaders
Conditionality and sanctions - a report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
17 May, 2013
An investigation into allegations that targets have been set for sanctions in Jobcentre Plus
No Homes For The Young - Changes To Benefits Could Force Young People Into Homelessness
17 May, 2013
A new Homeless Link report on the affordability of renting a shared home on benefits in London
This report found:- Only 5.5% of shared properties in London are affordable to under 35s on benefits. Welfare reforms have added an additional 12,000 claimants competing for rooms in shared accommodation. Private Rent levels have increased by 37% in the last five years and are predicted to rise by a further 29% in the next five. Less than 1% of landlords state they are willing to accept tenants claiming benefits. This competition is likely to create more homelessness unless more affordable housing can be found
Direct Payments Demonstration Projects:Learning the lessons, six months in
16 May, 2013
DWP Direct Payments Report
This report is one of a series of outputs from the independent evaluation of a programme of projects demonstrating the direct payment of Housing Benefit to social renting tenants across the UK. It highlights the key learning since the programme began early in 2012.
LIN Press Release - Direct Payment projects extended for 6 months
16 May, 2013
DWP Direct Payment Projects extended for 6 months
Working Families Receiving Benefits
16 May, 2013
New research by the New Policy Institute shows how many working families are in receipt of benefits
Credit Crunched
15 May, 2013
Report by the Consumer Finance Association
Largest ever study of payday loan customers in UK highlights reasons for the industry's growth and the lessons it must learn
Tough on people in poverty
14 May, 2013
A new report for the JRF highlights an enduring link between public attitudes to poverty and the state of the economy
Monitoring the impact of changes to the Local Housing Allowance system of Housing Benefit: Interim report
14 May, 2013
This Interim Report forms part of the DWPs independent review in evaluating the impact of changes to the LHA system of HB, which were introduced from April 2011
This report contains findings from a mixture of quantitative and qualitative elements: interviews with landlords which were undertaken between November 2011 and January 2012; claimant interviews that were undertaken in early 2012; and interviews with front line housing and benefits advisors between May and June 2012.
LIN Member Report May 2013 - Direct Payments to Tenants and the Impact on Rent Arrears
13 May, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Vivienne Ashley
Universal Credit toolkit for partner organisations
10 May, 2013
A toolkit to inform partner organisations about Universal Credit and to help them explain the changes to claimants
Council Tax: empty homes premium
08 May, 2013
Council Tax empty homes premium: guidance for properties for sale and letting
Smart Prepayment in Great Britain - Making prepay energy work in a smart world
08 May, 2013
Consumer Focus Report
The regulatory framework for smart meter rollout in Great Britain has been under development for a number of years. This report looks at the The Government's vision is for every home and small business in Great Britain to have smart electricity and gas meters by the end of 2019
Will Universal Credit Work?
08 May, 2013
New report by Child Poverty Action Group and the TUC suggests that Universal Credit is in danger of failing to deliver on its key objectives
The report, Will Universal Credit work?, says that although Universal Credit will improve some aspects of the benefits system, its ability to lift families out of poverty and remove barriers to working will be severely undermined by the government's wider tax credit and benefit changes - with nine in ten families gaining nothing overall from its introduction
Wage inequality and employment polarisation in British cities
08 May, 2013
The Work Foundation Report
This study investigates the geography of wage inequality and employment polarisation in British cities, their determinants and implications.
Welfare reform mapping report
02 May, 2013
SCVO Report
This SCVO Welfare Reform Mapping Report incorporates evidence from around 400 people across the third sector on how welfare changes are affecting their organisations
Growing up renting: A childhood spent in private rented homes
01 May, 2013
Shelter Report
Shelter's new report has uncovered the damaging impact of a childhood spent in England's volatile private rental market.
Universal Credit direct payments: Testing the water
01 May, 2013
As Universal Credit gets underway in the North West of England, Liverpool-based One Vision Housing reveal the findings of their own direct payments pilot and share some valuable lessons
LIN Welfare Benefits Rates Card for 2013-2014
26 April, 2013
LIN members Welfare Benefits Rates card 2013-14
Policy Response to family matters
26 April, 2013
Report from the Family and Childcare Trust
Family Matters opens a window onto the lives of 11 families, providing a vivid illustration of the delicate balancing act necessary to sustain household budgets and keep family life on track in difficult times.
Social hearted, commercially minded
25 April, 2013
Housing associations must forge new relationships with their tenants to help with increasingly squeezed finances, according to a report from the think tank The Smith Institute
Social hearted, commercially minded examines the changing role of housing associations and challenges they face as they adjust to a future with little or no subsidies. Fifty leading players in the social sector were interviewed in late 2012 and early 2013. The report finds one of the big tests for housing associations is the penalty for under-occupation of social housing, or 'bedroom tax'.
Households below a minimum income standard 2008/09 to 2010/11
25 April, 2013
Joseph Rowntree report
This study is the first in an annual series of reports monitoring how many people live in households with not enough income to afford a 'minimum acceptable standard of living'. This research looks at changes in the adequacy of household incomes in the early part of the recession, as measured by households' ability to reach the Minimum Income Standard
How prepared are Local Authorities for Welfare Reform?
19 April, 2013
Homelessness Link Report
Almost everyone experiencing homelessness in England will be affected by the current raft of changes to the welfare system - but are local authorities prepared to support them through it? 42 local authorities were interviewed for this report to try to understand their priorities, particularly around single homeless people.
The Impact of Welfare Reform on Scotland
12 April, 2013
2nd Report, 2013 (Session 4): The Impact of Welfare Reform on Scotland
This report contains the findings of research commissioned by the Committee into the impact of welfare reform on Scotland
Hitting the poorest places hardest: The local and regional impact of welfare reform
11 April, 2013
Sheffield Hallam University Research
Welfare cuts will take more than £1.6bn a year out of the Scottish economy and hit the poorest parts hardest, according to this independent research
The impact of localising council tax benefit
05 April, 2013
Joseph Rowntree report
The replacement of Council Tax Benefit with Council Tax Support marks a historic move from a nationally devised system to one of 326 different local schemes in England. This restructuring, along with a 10 per cent cut in funding, will create considerable challenges for local authorities, advice services and benefit recipients alike
Sheltered housing and welfare reform
05 April, 2013
NHF Report
This briefing outlines the implications of welfare reform for sheltered housing tenants including the transfer of housing benefit to Pension Credit Plus
How many families are affected by more than one benefit cut this April?
04 April, 2013
NPI Report
This month (April 2013) three absolute benefit cuts come into effect in the UK: Replacement of council tax benefit by council tax support, estimated to cost 2.4 million families in England an average of £2.60 per week; The under-occupation penalty (commonly known as the bedroom tax) expected to cost 660,000 families an average of £14 per week; The household benefit cap expected to affect 56,000 families with an average cut of £93 per week. Alongside this, the value of the income-based benefits income support, jobseeker's allowance, and employment support allowance have been up-rated by only 1%. This is less than the rate of inflation in the previous September (2.2%) which until now was how up-rating has been calculated. The estimated impacts that have been published so far deal with the scope and depth of each cut on its own. What have not been published are estimates of the extent to which families are affected by more than one such cut. This paper reports NPI's own estimates of the extent of these overlaps, based on official data and building on previous single estimates.
Bedroom Tax: Some Home Truths
03 April, 2013
Bedroom tax could cost taxpayers more, not less, according to new NHF report
Implementation of welfare reform by local authorities (I)
03 April, 2013
Communities and Local Government Committee - Ninth Report
This report focuses on implementation and the part that local authorities are playing. It identifies four key areas that will be crucial to the successful implementation of the changes. According to the report none merit a red card but idetifies that the Government will need to act swiftly to address a number of concerns.
Implementation of welfare reform by local authorities (II)
03 April, 2013
Communities and Local Government Committee - Written Evidence: Contents ordered by the House of Commons
LIN Member Report April 2013 - Bedroom Tax Appeals
02 April, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Claire Turner
Impact of Welfare Reform on Social Landlords in the South-West
28 March, 2013
A new study has revealed that 56 percent of housing associations and almost 30 percent of councils are worried that their tenants still know hardly anything about the welfare changes
LIN Member Report March 2013 - Help available to poorer households to pay council tax
25 March, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
Under-occupation of social housing: Housing Benefit entitlement
22 March, 2013
Parliamentary briefing
Analysis of tax and benefit changes in the autumn statement
20 March, 2013
In this short briefing paper, IPPR projects the consequences of the changes to tax allowances and the uprating of benefits that were announced in last year's autumn statement
How to: Manage income collection effectively
08 March, 2013
CIH report
This How to.... guide sets out the requirements for an effective income management strategy, making it simple for tenants to pay their rent, tackling rent arrears, approaches to eviction and preparation for welfare reform
Welfare Reform Bill: the impact of underoccupation proposals on neighbourhoods
07 March, 2013
Housing Futures Network Report
This research explores the impact at neighbourhood level of the Government's proposal to restrict housing benefit for working age households under-occupying social housing
Tackling Squalor - The pivotal role of social housing
06 March, 2013
Report by Centre for Labour and Social Studies
New report from left-wing think tank the Centre for Labour and Social Studies has outlined a radical 11-point plan to address what it perceived as the failure of the UK's housing market. This includes the 'residualisation' of social housing
Challenging Times, Changing Lives
22 February, 2013
Welfare reforms will fail to result in positive changes unless the government and social landlords increase support services for tenants, Riverside study warns
The research project - Challenging Times, Changing Lives - is following 20 families, single people and couples over the next three years to assess financial and economic changes
Analysing the impact of the UK Government's welfare reforms in Wales - stage 2
21 February, 2013
Ministerial Task and Finish Group on Welfare Reform stage 2 analysis
This stage was undertaken via a combination of internal and external work. The internal work has estimated the direct effects of the main welfare reforms on household incomes in Wales, and provides a more detailed assessment of the wider economic and social impacts of welfare reform (building on the Stage 1 research) and potential implications for devolved public services in Wales. The external work has focused on analysing the impact of the welfare reforms on labour supply in Wales.
Youth Unemployment: Review of Training for Young People with Low Qualifications
19 February, 2013
CESI Report
This paper reviews research on how effective training programmes are in raising qualifications and skills of people who are out work. It specifically looks at how effective training programmes targeted at increasing the employment and skills of young people who are not in learning or work and who have low or no skills. It explains what lessons can be learnt from previous programmes. It makes recommendations on designing future training programme for low-skilled and out-of-work young people aged 19-24.
The Lettings Market - an OFT report
19 February, 2013
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has called for better regulation of lettings agents after identifying several consumer protection issues
OFT report which analysed almost 4,000 complaints made by renters and landlords found that both groups were concerned about fees levied by agents, poor service and that "surprise" charges were introduced or "drip-fed" once contracts have been signed
Measuring child poverty: a consultation on better measures of child poverty
18 February, 2013
Joseph Rowntree report
JRF's response to the Department for Education on 'Measuring Child Poverty: a consultation on better measures of child poverty'
LIN Press Release - Information on Direct payment of Universal Credit Housing costs direct to landlords
15 February, 2013
Universal Credit (UC) - Guidance on Personal Budgeting Support
LIN Member Report February 2013 - Universal Credit and its Implications on Rental Payments
15 February, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Leanne Tasker
Universal Credit - Local support services framework
11 February, 2013
The Local support services framework states it will be up to the DWP to make exceptions to normal payment rules such as paying the housing element of Universal Credit direct to landlords
The framework lists the groups who might qualify for additional support with universal credit, the types of support that might be appropriate, and outlines local structures for the delivery of these services
Social Fund Guide
07 February, 2013
This guide contains the Secretary of State's directions and guidance. It is intended for use mainly by Decision Makers and independent Social Fund Inspectors
Under-occupation and Housing Benefit - Tranmere and Rock Ferry Case Study
04 February, 2013
Riverside case study
One in four of Riverside's 421 tenants in the area will be affected by the Housing Benefit cuts to under-occupiers of working age; tenants of the other major social landlord in the neighbourhood, Wirral Partnership Homes, are affected to a similar extent. Nearly nine in ten under-occupy by just one bedroom
Under-occupation and the new policy framework
04 February, 2013
Report by the Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research
This report looks at under-occupation within social housing and explores in detail the implications of the proposed cuts to housing benefit that will affect under-occupiers of working age
Welfare reform impact: regional summaries
01 February, 2013
NHF Reports
Ipsos MORI has produced summaries of the results of the online survey of housing associations for each region in England. Each summary covers:perceptions of the impact of welfare reform, potential impacts of the size criteria, household benefit cap and direct payment of benefit to tenants, and what housing associations are doing to prepare.
No Clear Benefit
31 January, 2013
The financial impact of Council Tax Benefit reform on low income households
As a result of council tax benefit reform, No Clear Benefit shows that three-quarters of local authorities are set to demand increased payments from the 3.2 million poorest working-age households who currently pay either no council tax or a reduced charge. Families are facing a hike of more than 330% in the most severe cases
Set in place solid foundations - Then tackle the myriad of welfare reforms
28 January, 2013
LIN complimentary report for landlords
Who Lives in the Private Rented Sector?
25 January, 2013
A report by the Building and Social Housing Foundation
In the context of the growth of private renting in the UK, this research examines the characteristics of households living in the sector. Using statistical analysis, the research identifies key sub-sectors of the PRS and discusses the different needs that these groups have.
Rent arrears could rocket over 50% under new welfare plans
24 January, 2013
A million people living in social housing could struggle with their rent and end up in debt as a result of the Government's welfare shakeup, warns the NHF
PIP Assessment Guide
23 January, 2013
DWP guidance document for providers carrying out assessments for Personal Independence Payment
Exempt accommodation update
17 January, 2013
NHF report on how the reform of benefits to cover housing costs will affect people living in supported and sheltered housing
LIN Member Report January 2013 - Universal Credit - The Key Differences - Information for Landlords
17 January, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Peter Hall
LIN Member Reprot January 2013 - Universal Credit Service Charges
09 January, 2013
DWP guidance for landlords
Paying to work: childcare and child poverty
07 January, 2013
Barnardo's research
This Barnardo's research highlights how the high cost of childcare will cause substantial difficulties for many parents seeking to enter work, or work longer hours, once the Government's new Universal Credit system is introduced.
Measures to reduce Housing Benefit expenditure - an overview
03 January, 2013
Briefing by the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
This note outlines all the measures aimed at reducing Housing Benefit expenditure set out in the June 2010 Budget and the October 2010 Spending Review, together with comment and an assessment of the potential impact of those measures
LIN Memebr Report January 2013 - The Household Benefit Cap
03 January, 2013
Briefing by the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
This note explains how the household benefit cap will operate and summarises reactions to it, including attempts to amend the benefit cap as the Welfare Reform Act progressed through Parliament
Home-work: Helping London's social tenants into employment
02 January, 2013
Report by The Centre for London
This report aims to answer some broad questions: What proportion of London's social tenants work? Why are so many Londoners in social housing not working? How effective are current policies at addressing worklessness among social tenants? And what, in particular, are social landlords doing to get more social tenants into work? Though the report is focussed on London, many of the findings and recommendations contained in this report will be relevant to policymakers and housing providers across the country
Unintended consequences: Local Housing Allowance
01 January, 2013
Report by People, Place and Policy online
At a time when the English Local Government Minister is extending the RTB, ostensibly to use receipts for new social housing provision, this report argues that the growing annual cost to the Treasury from past sales now in the PRS will need to be counted against any likely gains from capital receipts. Furthermore, newly sold social sector stock will again support future PRS expansion in high demand areas, increasing revenue costs to the Treasury despite the effects of caps on LHA payments.
Lone parent sanctions: a review of international evidence
01 January, 2013
Report by CESI
This briefing contains findings from a review of evaluations that considered the design, implementation and impact of benefit sanctions, with a particular focus on the experience of lone parents subject to employment related activity requirements.
Temporary accommodation
21 December, 2012
NHF submission to DWP in response to their update on temporary accommodation reforms
Discretionary Housing Payments
17 December, 2012
DWP response to the consultation on the Discretionary Housing Payments guidance manual
Are 'cultures of worklessness' passed down the generations?
14 December, 2012
Joseph Rowntree Report
This investigates the concept of 'intergenerational cultures of worklessness'. The idea of 'three generations of the same family who have never worked' appeals to many, including politicians and policy-makers, to explain entrenched worklessness in the UK
Universal Credit regulations briefing
12 December, 2012
Universal Credit Briefing from the NHF
The Government published the full set of Universal Credit regulations on 10 December. These are draft regulations and will be debated by parliament in January/February 2013, though they are unlikely to change
DWP: Direct Payments Demonstration Projects: Findings from a baseline survey of tenants in five project areas in England and Wales
10 December, 2012
DWP Demonstration Project report
This report is the first published output from the independent evaluation of Direct Payment Demonstration Projects in six areas in Great Britain demonstrating the payment of Housing Benefit (HB) directly to social rented sector tenants.
Private rented housing: providing stability and affordability for renters and families
10 December, 2012
Labour is calling on private landlords to offer longer-term tenancies and predictable rents to enable families to plan their finances more effectively
LIN Member Report December 2012 - The Autumn Statement
10 December, 2012
This member report is written by Neil Merrick
Home-work: Helping London's social tenants into employment
07 December, 2012
Report by think-tank Demos
This report begins by offering the first detailed picture of worklessness among London's social tenants. It goes on to identify pressures that keep social tenants from the world of work, and offers new recommendations as to how they could be encouraged and supported into employment
Evaluation of Support for the Very Long-Term Unemployed Trailblazer
07 December, 2012
This DWP report presents findings from an evaluation of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) mandatory Support for the Very Long-Term Unemployed trailblazer
Young and Homeless 2012
04 December, 2012
A study published by Homeless Link has argued that reduced welfare support for young people is already increasing their chances of becoming homeless
50% of providers say more young people are seeking support. 65% of young people supported by providers are homeless due to relationship breakdown with family, friends or partners. 54% of providers report closures of youth services in their area due to funding cuts More than half of providers are turning young people away because they are full. Almost half of services have reported difficulties supporting 16-17 year olds due to ineffective relationships with children's services
Universal Credit implementation: meeting the needs of vulnerable claimants
23 November, 2012
Work and Pensions Committee - Third Report
The Work and Pensions report concludes that the Government has designed a welfare system which should help ease the transition from benefits to work, but warns that significant concerns remain about the potential impact of the changes on some of the most vulnerable benefit claimants.
Smart for all - Understanding consumer vulnerability during the experience of smart meter installation
22 November, 2012
National Energy Action (NEA) and Consumer Focus Report
Some consumers in vulnerable positions may not be able to access all of the advantages that smart metering offers. This report identifies issues experienced by consumers on a low-income or in a vulnerable position in relation to the installation of smart meters
Benefits stigma in Britain
22 November, 2012
Report by Turn2us
Key findings The public vastly overestimated the numbers of people 'claiming falsely' or 'committing fraud' 1 in 5 people believe a majority of claims are false, while 14% believe a majority of claims are fraudulent. The Government's own statistics indicate an actual fraud rate of around 1%. The public now see claimants as less deserving than they did 20 years ago, with noticeable shifts in opinion in the late 1990s and early 2000s Evidence was found to support the idea that negative media coverage is linked to stigma - with people who read more stigmatising newspapers perceiving higher levels of fraud and greater personal stigma Both a national survey and use of focus groups demonstrated that stigma is impacting on both take up of tax credits and benefits. Many are making a choice whether to 'heat or eat' because of a deep-seated sense of shame at the prospect of claiming Non-take up of benefits has risen concurrently with stigma
Work Capability Assessment independent review - year three
21 November, 2012
The WCA was introduced in October 2008 to assess entitlement to ESA. Section 10 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007 commits the Secretary of State to lay an independent report before Parliament each year for the first five years of operation
Social tenants' finances and vulnerability to direct payments
20 November, 2012
NHF report which identifies those who will struggle with move to Universal Credit
The report by Policis, indicates that the change to Universal Credit could pose very real risks to the financial wellbeing of social tenants, with knock-on implications for housing associations and the implementation of welfare reform
Poor homes, poor health - to heat or to eat? Private sector tenant choices in 2012
19 November, 2012
An exploratory study of the health impacts of welfare reform on tenants living in the private rented sector by Pro-Housing Alliance (PHA)
An exodus of benefit recipients from high to low cost neighbourhoods is a widely predicted side effect of the government's controversial welfare ceiling according to this new report
Out of Sight
16 November, 2012
RNIB Cymru report: More action needed to stop blind poverty call
The Out of Sight report said that disabled people in Wales, including those with a visual impairment, face a below-average employment rate and an above-average unemployment rate. It also found they are particularly reliant on welfare benefits. However, a considerable number of people with a visual impairment do not claim all the benefits to which they are entitled.
Taking on the money lenders: Lessons from Japan
16 November, 2012
CESI Report
'Taking on the money lenders: lessons from Japan' reveals that the pro-money lending lobby is wrong to argue that interest rate caps and tighter responsible lending rules inevitably lead to higher levels of illegal lending. In fact, there may be a causal relationship between high levels of legal money lending and the prevalence of loan sharks. The report examines the Japanese experience of tightening money lending regulation between the late 1970s and the present day, including the package of measures introduced by their Money Lending Law in 2006.
LIN Member Report November 2012 - Green deal: what it means for landlords and tenants
15 November, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
Government claim that universal credit will always make work pay for single parents is at risk of failure, new research shows
13 November, 2012
Universal credit will fail to provide all working single parent families with a route out of poverty, and act as a disincentive to work longer hours for some
Communications for smaller housing associations
09 November, 2012
New NHF guide illustrates how smaller housing associations can communicate effectively, whatever their resources
Jobs, growth and warmer homes
09 November, 2012
Consumer Focus report
This report challenges the assumption that we cannot afford to tackle fuel poverty. It argues that there is a triple win available of warmer homes, greater energy efficiency and economic growth if we can use carbon taxes revenue to benefit consumers, and fuel poor households in particular
Employment and Support Allowance Claimant Journey
09 November, 2012
Stakeholder Information pack - November 2012
How to: Work in partnership with the private rented sector to tackle homelessness
06 November, 2012
CIH report
This 'how to' guide looks at how local authorities can develop relationships with the private rented sector to tackle homelessness and to support tenants to sustain their tenancies in the private rented sector
The cost of running a home
06 November, 2012
A guide from Wolverhampton Homes which aims to give an idea of those costs that tenants will have to budget for when running their own home
Between a rock and a hard place - the early impacts of Welfare Reform on London
06 November, 2012
CPAG Report
This report focuses on three key changes to financial support for families:- Caps to local housing allowance (LHA) restrict the level of support that families can receive with their rents to the 30th percentile of rents within a local area. The benefit cap which will restrict the total amount of support received by a household to £500 a week for families with children and £350 for single people. Under-occupation penalties will reduce the level of support for families in social rented housing if they are deemed to have an extra bedroom.
The best of British banking
06 November, 2012
A report by Accent on basic bank accounts for Consumer Focus
This report shows that a fifth of the adult population state a basic bank account is their only or main account.
Home Truths 2012: East of England
05 November, 2012
Report by the National Housing Federation - an analysis and forecast of East of England's housing market
PDF: Lost benefits - An article from February 2004
05 November, 2012
Disturbing results from a trial of direct housing benefit payments mean the government should think long and hard before applying the reform to the social sector
Bedroom Tax Guidance
05 November, 2012
CIH Scotland - This practice guidance is aimed primarily at Scottish social landlords - i.e. local authority landlords and registered social landlords
The guidance is in three parts: Part One - Overall Approach to Preparing for Change Part Two - Bedroom Tax - Policy and Practice Dilemmas Part Three - Model Questionnaire for Visits to Tenants
Evaluation of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects- Emerging Learning
02 November, 2012
This is the second report in this series
Managing the Impact of Housing Benefit Reform
02 November, 2012
National Audit Office Report
54 % increase in real expenditure on Housing Benefit between 2001-02 and 2011-12. £23.9 billion projected Housing Benefit spending in real terms in 2014-15 without reforms. £21.6 billion projected Housing Benefit spending in real terms in 2014-15 after reforms. 1.4 million households who could be affected by changes to Local Housing Allowance rules by 2014-15. 56,000 households affected by the overall benefit cap by 2014-15. £390 million central government funding for Discretionary Housing Payments between 2011-12 and 2014-15
Housing associations and provision for destitute migrants
31 October, 2012
Social landlords can take advantage of a pack that has been launched to prevent migrants being homeless
The destitution pack has been developed to help destitute asylum seekers who have no access to public funds but who have some prospect of regularising their status
Housing associations and provision for destitute migrants - associated appendices
31 October, 2012
Social landlords can take advantage of a pack that has been launched to prevent migrants being homeless
Relating to the practice pack, these appendices provide example forms and agreements that you can use and adapt
Gaining from growth
31 October, 2012
Resolution Foundation Report
The government's flagship welfare policy appears to be a 'single breadwinner system' that will discourage second earners - most likely women - from working, a report has found
Implementing Universal Credit: will the reforms improve the service for users?
30 October, 2012
Report by CESI
The report explores: The extent to which UC will address complexity and create a simpler social security system for service users and how the localisation of benefits may affect this. The impact of UC on work incentives and the quality of employment programme support. The conditionality regime, balance of personal responsibility and the 'user voice' in the new system
Monitoring the impact of recent measures affecting Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowances in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland
29 October, 2012
Research on Northern Ireland's private rented sector housing market
The areas covered in the research include: Assessing awareness of the LHA changes among both existing housing benefit claimants and new claimants; Gaining insights into the experiences of both new and existing claimants in terms of their property search, affordability, rent arrears and negotiations over rent with landlords; Assessing the awareness of the LHA changes among landlords and how this differs according to the local housing market conditions; establishing whether landlords currently letting to the housing benefit market intend to remain in that market or not, whether they have considered, or would consider in the future, reducing rents and the influence on their decisions of receiving direct payments of housing benefit
Sanctions and conditionality briefing
29 October, 2012
NHF Report
New conditions and associated sanctions are being attached to welfare benefits. This is intended to reflect the principle behind Universal Credit that people who can, must look for work
Home Truths 2012: London
24 October, 2012
NHF Report
Home Truths 2012: London, a new report by the National Housing Federation is an analysis and forecast of London's housing market. The report shows that thousands of London workers will struggle to pay their rent in the next decade as new forecasts show rents and house prices are set to soar, pushing home ownership in the capital down to less than 40%
Home Truths 2012: the housing market in England
22 October, 2012
This National Housing Federation report says that by the next election one million earners will be dependent on welfare to afford rent
Key findings from the report:- The cost of privately renting a home has risen 37% in the past five years, and is set to soar a further 35% over the next six years. In five years that means they will be almost a third higher than they are now. Private rents are likely to be fairly stable through 2013 but could see steep increases from 2015 to 2018 of around 6% a year as interest rates rise and house prices increase. 417,830 more working people, an 86% increase since 2009, are now reliant on housing benefit to help them pay the rising rents on their home.
The challenges for disadvantaged young people seeking work
18 October, 2012
Joseph Rowntree Report
The UK labour market has become more challenging for all jobseekers, with unemployment particularly high among young people and those with limited education and skills. This research describes the difficulty of job searching for young people seeking low-skilled work, examining three contrasting local labour market areas in England and Wales.
Holes in the Safety Net: The impact of Universal Credit on disabled people and their families
17 October, 2012
A report by the Children's Society, Citizens Advice and Disability Rights UK says 100,000 households with children could have incomes reduced by up to £28pw
This inquiry report also reveals that: 100,000 disabled children stand to lose up to £28 a week; 116,000 disabled people who work will be at risk of losing up to £40 per week from help towards additional costs of being disabled; One in ten families with disabled children affected by the changes feared losing their homes; 83% of disabled adults living alone or with a young carer said they would cut back on food; 80% said they would cut back on the amount they spend on heating.
Optimising welfare reform outcomes for social tenants
16 October, 2012
Understanding the financial management issues for different tenant groups - report by Policis
Evidence from interviews with nearly 2,000 people living in social housing provides an understanding of the dynamics of social tenants' finances and financial management, and identifies those groups likely to require greater or lesser support in making the transition to Universal Credit
LIN Member Report October 2012 - How to tackle under-occupation
15 October, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Rebecca Wilkie.
This LIN member report looks at the detail, some possible solutions and the challenges posed to landlords by the under-occupation charges, which are being introduced into the social sector in April 2013
Transforming Childcare, Changing Lives: Making sure that work pays
08 October, 2012
A position paper by the Centre for Social Justice
A report on how to maximise Universal Credit by reforming childcare
Conditions Uncertain
08 October, 2012
Resolution Foundation report
Conditions Uncertain finds that almost 1.2 million low-paid workers entitled to support under Universal Credit will have to look for extra work or face the risk of having payments withdrawn. The report reveals for the first time how many working people are likely to be affected by a new regime which will require the lowest-paid to show that they are unable to push up their wages any further
Homelessness kills: An analysis of the mortality of homeless people in early twenty-first century England
04 October, 2012
Crisis report
This study investigates the mortality of homeless people in England for the period 2001-2009. It finds that homeless people are more likely to die young, with an average age of death of 47 years old, compared to 77 for the general population
Putting problems on the map
03 October, 2012
Consumer Focus report
Web mapping features have become an important part of many websites and applications and most people will now have encountered a mapping service or application while browsing the internet. As web mapping goes mobile with the growing take up of smart phones and other portable computing devices, the use and utility of applications built on these technologies is set to grow further. This report looks at the potential of mapping software to empower consumers
Quids in: The impact of financial skills training for social housing tenants
01 October, 2012
Personal Finance Research Centre University of Bristol
Over the period June 2011 to March 2012, Bedworth, Rugby and Nuneaton CAB (BRANCAB) delivered a financial skills training programme free-of-charge to tenants of Orbit Heart of England HA (OHE). The aim of the training was to improve the money management skills and general financial awareness of OHE tenants. The training was available to tenants living in two locations in dispersed housing stock. It was not targeted specifically at tenants in rent arrears or at a particular group of tenants (such as lone parents). Participation in the training was voluntary. The aim of this evaluation was to measure the impact for OHE's social housing tenants of BRANCAB's financial skills training.
How to - Help tenants manage their money
27 September, 2012
CIH guide for housing staff
This guide considers the practical ways you can help your tenants improve their money management, access to financial products which are right for them and to know where to turn for advice and support
Open Access report: In full
26 September, 2012
A comprehensive breakdown of the CBI's report that argues that opening up public services will lead to savings for the taxpayer
Research commissioned by the CBI from Oxford Economics - based on the extrapolation of £2bn-worth of cost savings found in 20 discrete public services - identified average savings of 11% when opening services up to the private sector, this included opening social housing management to more competition which could potentially save £675m
Finding and sustaining a home in the Private Rented Sector - The essentials
26 September, 2012
Shelter report - A guide for frontline staff working with homeless offenders
This report provides guidance and help to offender managers and supervisors to how they can best support offenders to get homes in the private rented sector
Jobs, skills and unemployment in Scotland 2012
25 September, 2012
CESI report
This overview gives a snapshot of the main challenges for Scotland's labour market. With the Powerpoint evidence report, the intention is to give the facts and figures, and analysis that are needed for an informed debate about: the challenges for Scotland's labour market. What more the Scottish and UK Governments could do to tackle worklessness. Welfare benefits and employment budgets in the independence debate.
Briefing on the Montague Review
25 September, 2012
NHF report
On 23 August 2012, Sir Adrian Montague published his report into the private rented sector. This follows the Government's latest attempt to identify the key barriers to attracting investment into the sector. The report suggests the potential of the sector and makes a series of recommendations, relating to the planning system, public sector land, upfront investment and standards. This briefing summarises the report's key findings and gives the NHF's views on the recommendations made.
A better deal - towards more stable private renting
21 September, 2012
Report from Shelter
Private renting is becoming the new normal. It is the only choice for a growing population of young families and working people on average incomes at a settled stage of their life. Most, like generations past, want to buy, but realistically will be stuck renting for the foreseeable future. Therefore, now is the time to ask: does renting offer long-term renters the stability they need in their home? Can renting work better for renters and landlords? Shelter sets out the case for change and puts forward practical, considered recommendations for a rental offer that improves landlords' returns and gives renters the chance of a real home.
LIN Press release - Update on Universal Credit
20 September, 2012
Update on Universal Credit - includes information on supported housing, UC payment frequency, self-employed and budgeting accounts
Who can afford retirement housing?
19 September, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
Examining income data, price data and government policies, this study found that: Middle-income pensioners not entitled to state help are liable to spend the largest proportion of their income on retirement housing. But the structure of state help ensures that their remaining income is not lower than pensioners receiving means-tested benefits. Pensioners may find that some retirement housing costs are not eligible for state help, because of their savings, their tenure or how these costs are classified and owner-occupiers and private tenants, regardless of income, often do not get help with many small costs incurred in retirement housing which are covered for most social tenants. Social renters are much more likely to get state help for these costs.
Sink or Swim? The impact of the Universal Credit
17 September, 2012
Social Market Foundation Report
This report assesses the impact of the Universal Credit reforms on how low income households budget and sustain their financial resilience. The research finds that major changes are required if the system is to support rather than frustrate the stated aims of Government policy.
Social hearts, business heads
14 September, 2012
NHF report
This report outlines a comprehensive new approach to value for money that goes beyond the narrow requirements of the regulator to offer the sector an approach that will help boards and senior managers run effective, efficient and tightly focused social businesses
LIN Member Report September 2012 - Case Study - Helping Landlords to prepare for Welfare Reform
13 September, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Claire Turner and Peter Hall
In May 2012, Bron Afon invited LIN to carry out a critical friend review of their income management service in order to ensure that the income recovery strategies, policies, procedures and processes in place, were in the best possible position to respond to the challenge of welfare reform & as part of Bron Afon's preparation to go live as one of the DWP Direct Payment Demonstration Project areas. This report looks in detail at the work carried out.
To have or have not? Taking responsibility for tomorrow's affordable homes today
12 September, 2012
Report by Housing Voice - The Affordable Housing Alliance
Security of tenure in the PRS should be extended from 6 months to 24, according to this report, which says much of England is becoming increasingly reliant, by default, on the private rented sector. This, alongside increasing capital investment in new affordable homes and the regulation of the private rented sector, has been made in an in-depth report by the year-long Housing Voice Independent Inquiry
The Parent Trap: Childcare cuts under Universal Credit
11 September, 2012
The Children's Society has published a report raising concerns about the impact of the loss of support with childcare costs through Housing Benefit under Universal Credit
Key findings Around 100,000 families (20% of those who receive help with childcare through the benefits and tax credits system) receive this additional support. Under Universal Credit, this additional support will be lost. All those entitled will receive 70% of their childcare costs. This will leave some of the lowest income working families having to pay up to seven and a half times as much towards their childcare costs from their own pocket than they do under the current system. Families could face a cut of up to £2,320 per year from their childcare support if they have one child or £3,980 per year if they have two or more children as a result of this change. The average loss of support is estimated to be around £23 per week or £1,200 per year. Working families living in poverty are four times more likely to be affected by this change than families not in poverty who are receiving help with childcare costs through the tax credit system. Low-income working families in areas where housing costs are high, such as in the South of England (London, South East, South West), are disproportionately likely to be affected by this change.
Tackling housing market volatility in the UK: a progress report
11 September, 2012
JRHT report
What progress has been made on creating a more sustainable housing market since JRF published its Housing Market Taskforce report?
It Shouldn't Happen Here
06 September, 2012
Parents go hungry to feed children, according to research from Save The Children
There are an estimated 3.5 million children living in poverty in the UK - 1.6 million in severe poverty. This shocking figure is expected to rise by 400,000 by 2015. A lack of jobs, stagnating wages, increased living costs and spending cuts are placing enormous pressure on families up and down the UK. The survey results set out in this report show that poverty leaves parents cutting back on food so their children don't go hungry. It leaves children without a warm coat or new shoes. It means they miss out on experiences that are central to a happy childhood, such as going on a family holiday or having a friend round for tea.
Gingerbread report - Unintended consequences
04 September, 2012
New Gingerbread research shows that poorest working families will have any increase in income reduced by 65 per cent
This report looks at how the structure of Universal Credit undermines the coalition commitment to support low income workers through raising the personal tax allowance threshold
Advice on dealing with squatters in your home
04 September, 2012
This publication is aimed at informing property owners about the new offence and the procedures for regaining possession of their properties from squatters
From 1 September 2012, a person squatting in a residential building is committing a crime. The offence covers squatting in all residential buildings. It protects homeowners and lawful occupiers who discover squatters have occupied their homes
Delivering the social fund at London-level: opportunities and risks
04 September, 2012
New CPAG report also highlights local authorities' concern that funding for start up and administrative costs of new schemes is inadequate
Dealing with Rogue Landlords - A Guide for Local Authorities
03 September, 2012
This guidance urges local authorities to crack down on rogue landlords and provides them with practical advice for doing so.
Review of the barriers to institutional investment in private rented homes
23 August, 2012
Montague report
This report summarises the results of Sir Adrian Montague's review of the barriers to institutional investment in private rented homes, which examined how best to encourage greater investment in rental properties and sought to explore the factors that might encourage institutions to invest in new homes for rent
The impact of Welfare Reform on housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland
17 August, 2012
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Report
Although some reforms are already under way (the uprating of Non Dependent Deductions, for example) the most significant reforms are yet to be implemented. Starting in April 2013, the reforms are to be implemented in full over the next four years so that by 2017 all existing benefit payments, including HB, will have been replaced with a single Universal Credit. This analysis suggests that these reforms will result in a loss of benefit for working age tenants in the HA and Co-op sector in the region of £123m to £228m, by 2017.
Making every contact count: A joint approach to preventing homelessness
16 August, 2012
DWP report looking at how services can be managed in a way that prevents any household from reaching a crisis point where they are faced with homelessness
LIN Member Report August 2012 - Welfare Reform Case Study - Vela Group
13 August, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Claire Turner, Lynn McPartlin and Anthony Scarre.
The impact of the changes to HB and LHA will affect social and private landlords, tenants, and strategic housing authorities in the UK. This member report is a case study based on the work being carried out by Housing Hartlepool and looks at the policy changes, innovation and good practice being implemented across the Vela Group in preparation for Welfare Reform.
Personal Independence Payment
13 August, 2012
Information for support organisations and advisers
This includes a presentation and a quick guide for support organisations and advisers
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
09 August, 2012
Council of Mortgage Lenders response (part 1) to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
09 August, 2012
Council of Mortgage Lenders response (part 2) to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
LIN Press release - Evaluation of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects
09 August, 2012
Evaluation of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects- Emerging Learning
Unintended consequences: Local Housing Allowance
08 August, 2012
People Place and Policy report
Recent rapid expansion of the PRS is recognised but the extensive involvement of ex local authority stock in this new PRS is not. It could be costing the Government as much as £2bn-a-year extra in housing benefit to support tenants in the private sector now renting ex-council homes sold through the Right-to-Buy, according to this report which looks at the impact of Right-to-Buy re-sales on the £22bn-a-year housing benefit bill
DHPs - Public Consultation
02 August, 2012
Consultation seeking views on the Discretionary Housing Payments guidance manual. Consultation closing date 31.8.12
Sustain: a longitudinal study of housing wellbeing in the private rented sector
01 August, 2012
Crisis Interim report 2012
Crisis administers the private rented sector access development programme, a three-year project funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government. This Crisis report shows that in 2011/12, the scheme supported 49 local projects run by voluntary organisations and helped 1,370 people move into the PRS.
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
01 August, 2012
Crisis response to the SSAC consultation on Universal Credit
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
01 August, 2012
St Mungo's response to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
31 July, 2012
NHF response to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
Understanding Downsizing
31 July, 2012
An Intergenerational Foundation report
This study divided older owners of larger homes into two groups; those who had downsized to a smaller home and those who said they did not plan to move. IF interviewed homeowning couples aged between 65 and 75, half of whom had downsized and half who did not plan to downsize.
Fairer by design: efficient tax reform for those on low to middle incomes
31 July, 2012
Tax rules favour mansion owners over council tenants
The current system of redistribution through taxation and welfare is inefficient and could be reformed to give more support to those on low and middle incomes whilst reducing economic costs according to this report
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
31 July, 2012
CIH response response to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
Making progress - An analysis of improvements made by energy companies for their prepayment customers
30 July, 2012
Consumer Focus report
This report looks at how well the major energy suppliers have implemented five key principles set out by Consumer Focus for prepayment meter customers. The principles aim to ensure customers in vulnerable circumstances are not disadvantaged, and avoid situations that can lead to detrimental self-rationing and in severe circumstances, self-disconnection.
A new employment programme for Northern Ireland
30 July, 2012
CESI Feasibility Study
The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) commissioned in January 2012 a feasibility study for a new employment programme in Northern Ireland as a successor to 'Steps to Work' and 'Pathways'. The aim is to improve the performance of programmes for those claiming certain benefits by introducing a stronger emphasis on 'payment by results' for contractors. In doing this the feasibility study has examined the lessons from the introduction of the Work Programme in Great Britain.
Crisis report published on 1st year private renting schemes
30 July, 2012
Crisis Private Renting Access Programme Yr 1 report
Tax and benefit policy: insights from behavioural economics
25 July, 2012
Institute for Fiscal Studies report
This report gives a detailed examination of the behavioural insights for tax and benefit policy
Universal Credit Regulations: SSAC call for evidence
24 July, 2012
Read this new briefing before sending your response to the Social Security Advisory Committee
The Big Squeeze - Winners and losers
24 July, 2012
Britain's household debt 'at highest levels since 1980s' according to new report
Listening to Troubled Families
19 July, 2012
A report by Louise Casey
Louise Casey, head of the Troubled Families Programme, interviewed 16 troubled families for this report that starkly describes the problems families face. The primary purpose of carrying out the interviews was to listen directly to families about their lives, the problems they have experienced and caused and to begin to understand the sort of help that will enable them to really change
Building futures
18 July, 2012
Report measures the scale, range and scope of housing associations' community investment
new report from the National Housing Federation, shows that every year housing associations in England help around eight million people by investing in a range of services that give them the initial support they need to make lasting changes.
Insight to support Universal Credit user-centred design
16 July, 2012
DWP research report
This qualitative research looked at the needs and behaviours of potential users (current claimants) and administrators (DWP, HMRC and Local Authority staff) of Universal Credit. The research involved regular testing to enable rapid feedback to the DWP design team. This ensured identification of issues early in the design process to avoid lengthy and costly rework later. The research highlighted areas within Universal Credit for which specific support and communications will be required, such as the in-work conditionality requirements.
Work and the welfare system: a survey of benefits and tax credits recipients
16 July, 2012
DWP research report
This quantitative research looked at the views and attitudes to work, budgeting and internet use among a representative sample of benefit units receiving working age benefits and tax credits who would be impacted by the transition to Universal Credit. The results show that 78% of those surveyed already use the internet - DWP will use the findings to inform the approach to encouraging and supporting claimants to use the online service. The findings also indicate that most respondents would be comfortable moving to a single, household payment. The concept of a monthly payment causes more concern, but DWP want to help claimants to manage their finances in preparation for taking on (more) work. DWP will use the findings to inform their approach to promoting financial capability and to develop appropriate and tailored support for extremely vulnerable claimants.
Disability and Universal Credit
13 July, 2012
Briefing, produced by Disability Rights UK, Citizen's Advice and the Children's Society
This briefing looks at four particular financial changes for disabled children, adults and their families, and considers how they will interact with the broader universal credit changes
LIN Member Report July 2012 - Changes to the local housing allowance system: its effects on tenants and landlords
13 July, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
The changes, which took effect for new claimants in April 2011 and are being phased in for existing claimants over the course of this year, have left many tenants in the PRS worse off. They also led to suggestions that landlords would respond by cutting rents or refusing to let properties to LHA claimants. Thanks to the first in a series of three independent evaluations, published in June by the Department for Work and Pensions, we are slightly wiser as to the initial effects. It is early days and, at the time the research took place last autumn, no existing claimants had seen their benefit cut. But the face-to-face survey of LHA claimants and a postal survey of landlords start to reveal the extent to which tenants in the private rented sector are struggling to afford their rent.
A minimum income standard for the UK in 2012
10 July, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
This year's study involved 21 new focus groups, who 'rebased' minimum budgets for families with children through fresh research, and reviewed the budgets of other household types. It also reflects changes to costs and living standards, updating the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) budgets to April 2012.
English Housing Survey: Household Report 2010-11
06 July, 2012
Published July 2012
The report includes the following findings: The largest tenure type in 2010-11 was owner occupation, with 14.45 million households (66%). This continued a slight downward trend from a peak of 14.79 million households in owner occupation (71%) in 2005. The private rented sector continued to increase in size, to 3.62 million households (17%). Owner occupiers buying with a mortgage made average weekly mortgage payments of £143. This compared to average weekly rent payments of £160 made by privately renting households, and £79 by social renters. 59 per cent of private renters and 23% of social renters said they expected to buy a home in the UK, at some point. Of these, 16 per cent had considered applying for a mortgage in the last 12 months. Recent first time buyers were 6% of owner occupiers. There were two million recently moving households in 2010-11, compared to 1.8 million in 2009-10. Of these, 62% were private renters, 22% were owner occupiers and 16% were social renters.
Housing Association and Welfare Rights Best Practice Guide
01 July, 2012
Scottish Federation Of Housing Association publication
New banking concept to protect rents
29 June, 2012
Gentoo is in talks with credit unions about setting up 'jam jar accounts' to protect its income stream
For further details about the benefits of Jam Jar accounts see LIN member reports 'How social sector landlords can be paid benefits direct' and 'How private sector landlords can be paid benefits direct' published on 5.10.11 and stored in the publications - member report section of the LIN website:- http://www.landlordinformationnetwork.co.uk/publications_reports.php
Can improving UK skills levels reduce poverty and income inequality by 2020?
28 June, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
Improving skills in the workforce is seen as fundamental to achieving a more competitive economy and maintaining productivity. Current and previous government policy implies that an increase in skills will reduce poverty and income inequality. This research investigates how improving UK skills levels will affect rates of poverty and income inequality.
Poverty: the role of institutions, behaviours and culture
27 June, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
How much do individuals, institutional structures and culture influence poverty levels? With unemployment rising, pressure on incomes, and cuts to public services, it is not unreasonable to believe poverty will become a pressing issue over coming years. What role will individuals, institutions and cultures play in any rise in poverty? This paper assesses some of the causes of poverty and examines the role played by: family structure; employment and intergenerational worklessness; geographical concentrations of poverty; educational outcomes; addiction to alcohol and drugs; and debt.
New tenure arrangements
26 June, 2012
NHF report - on the implications of current changes to legislation, regulation, funding and welfare for the way HA's manage their tenancies
This briefing on the management implications of the new tenure arrangements covers: The relationship between rent levels and forms of tenure. The difference between a fixed-term tenancy and a periodic tenancy. The use of fixed-term tenancies and the length of the term. Operational issues relating to fixed-term tenancies. NHF model fixed-term tenancy. Probationary tenancies. Mutual exchanges. Succession. Charitable and vires issues. Rent setting, including rebasing. The effect of welfare changes.
Together at home: A new strategy for housing
22 June, 2012
IPPR Report
IPPR's ongoing fundamental review of housing policy has shown that English housing is unfit for purpose. In this final report, a number of policy strands are brought together to present a new and often radical strategy for housing in this country.
The Perfect Storm: Economic stagnation, the rising cost of living, public spending cuts, and the impact on UK poverty
20 June, 2012
Oxfam Report
Charity warns "UK could return to inequality levels not seen since Victorian times" Government rhetoric about 'making work pay' - used to justify sweeping welfare reforms- is sounding increasingly hollow, according to a new report by Oxfam, which details how getting a job in modern Britain is no guarantee of escaping poverty
Does the tax and benefit system create a 'couple penalty'?
18 June, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
This paper found that: In calculating penalties for staying together or separating, the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) provides a well-researched basis for comparing living costs for different types of family, and suggests that Government's equivalence scales have underestimated how much cheaper it is for two people to live as a couple than separately. The benefits system does not provide a different proportion of an out-of-work family's daily living needs if they live together or live apart. This is true whether MIS or official assumptions are used to compare what incomes families need for an equivalent living standard under different living arrangements. A couple penalty only exists for dual earner families on low incomes under particular assumptions: that the relative needs of singles and couples are as arbitrarily described in an equivalence scale rather than as shown in researched evidence.
All that's digital isn't gold: The challenges and risks of the digital age
18 June, 2012
Consumer Focus report
Widespread access to the internet and the new technologies that are built upon it are making powerful new approaches to consumer empowerment possible. This Consumer Focus report identifies what these emerging detriments might be for consumers.
Monitoring the impact of changes to the Local Housing Allowance system of housing benefit:summary of early findings
15 June, 2012
The first report from an independent research into housing benefit reform
Minister for Welfare Reform Lord Freud said: "This research has been a valuable resource. It will help us to monitor our reforms and inform future thinking. "This research gives us an early insight into what is really happening and I am encouraged that it shows that the many scare stories about the effects of housing benefit reform are not materialising. We will continue to monitor this activity over the next year."
What's in it for me? - Using the benefits of energy efficiency to overcome the barriers
15 June, 2012
Consumer Focus research into innovative ways to engage people in energy efficiency
This research stemmed from feedback from a range of practitioners that interest in 'free' insulation was drying up
LIN Member Report June 2012 - More money to spare: How local authorities are still failing to award discretionary housing payments
14 June, 2012
LIN June member report by Neil Merrick which looks at the DHP fund, which is one measure, that could help offset the impact of the Welfare Reforms
This report highlights that many Local Authorities have not, previously, spent the full amount of their DHP budget, in fact the latest figures show that more than a quarter of the £30m that local authorities were allocated to spend on discretionary housing payments (DHPs) in 2011/12 remains unspent
LIN Memebr Report June 2012 - Making it Fit: a guide to preparing for the social sector size criteria
13 June, 2012
Toolkit published to help landlords prepare for the bedroom tax
The Making Best Use of Stock Team at the Chartered Institute of Housing has published a guide to preparing for the social sector size criteria (bedroom tax). The Toolkit provides advice and gives practical examples. Key issues covered are: Identifying affected tenants Modelling and assessing risk Communicating with staff and tenants Supporting tenants Allocations
Ending child poverty by 2020 - Progress made and lessons learnt
12 June, 2012
Child poverty gains at risk, says Child Poverty Action Group study
This landmark report shows that the child poverty approach pursued between 1998 and 2010 made a significant and long-lasting difference to families with children; reduced child poverty on a scale and at a pace unmatched by other industrial nations during this period. This is the verdict of a group of leading national experts commissioned to produce the report at the mid-point to ending child poverty by 2020.
Bridging the Gap: Sustaining online engagement
01 June, 2012
Communications consumer panel report
The report found that in 2012, 22% of the UK adult population - eleven million people - still do not use the internet at home
Reforming Council Tax Benefit
31 May, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
The government is proposing to localise support for council tax from 2013-14, abolishing Council Tax Benefit (CTB) across Britain and giving grants to local authorities in England, and the Scottish and Welsh governments . This study examines the likely effects of this policy
Older people's housing: choice, quality of life, and under-occupation
29 May, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
Using original analysis of official data, interviews and a literature review, this study: Assesses the choices available to older people. Questions why mainstream and specialist housing is not more widely available for older people. Examines whether, since the official definition is at odds with older people's views and their revealed preferences, 'under-occupying' in older people's households is really such a problem. This study moves the debate on older people's housing away from simplistic notions about 'holding onto housing' to wider questions about choice and demand.
Young, hidden and homeless
29 May, 2012
Crisis briefing
Key points from the report: Young homeless people often do not get the help they need from local authorities or formal support services. Instead, they get by in hidden homelessness situations such as rough sleeping and squatting. Young homeless people are considerably more vulnerable than the overall homeless population. For example, 51% have been excluded from school, 40% have experienced abuse at home and 33% self harm. 30% have been in care, suggesting that the care system is not offering them the support they need. Young homeless people go to desperate measures to avoid sleeping rough, including committing a crime or resorting to sex work just to get a roof over their head. Urgent action and early intervention is needed to prevent young homeless people developing higher needs and falling into long term homelessness.
New council tax help for hard-working families and pensioners
28 May, 2012
Following a consultation, the Government confirmed plans to amend council tax rules so councils have greater local flexibility to help residents
Under One Roof
28 May, 2012
New report from the think tank Demos recommends housing providers take more radical preventative steps to support social housing tenants
The report maps out potential journeys of service users, demonstrating how earlier intervention and risk mitigation are integral to the efficient and equitable provision of services. It concludes that personal budgets, localism and community budgets provide a distinct opportunity for increased collaboration between health, housing and care which in turn will generate significant savings and allow for better targeting of services.
A guide to Income Support
28 May, 2012
A guide for professional and voluntary advisers and others who want to know more about Income Support
Credit where credit's due - The provision of credit union services through post offices
25 May, 2012
Consumer Focus Report
In the past decade, credit unions in Great Britain have trebled their membership and their assets have expanded four-fold. There is real potential for credit unions to expand further, both in terms of geographic reach and customer base. This would improve access to basic financial products, such as savings accounts and affordable credit. It would also allow credit unions to offer products which can help to mitigate the budgetary risks associated with Universal Credit, for example through "jam jar" accounts that could help claimants make the transition to monthly payments, cope with the direct payment of Housing Benefit into their accounts, and use savings accounts to budget to overcome any unforeseen budgetary shocks. With nearly 12,000 post offices across the UK, about the same as the UK's bank networks combined, consumer access to credit union services would be greatly improved if it was made possible over the post office counter. Wider access would also improve take-up of, and access to, affordable credit and transactional accounts; and in turn increase the potential of credit unions to provide an alternative to mainstream financial services.
Fraud Guide
25 May, 2012
The Fraud Guide is used by DWP staff who investigate allegations of benefit fraud
New Which? research exposes payday loan failings
18 May, 2012
Struggling consumers in payday loan debt trap
New Which? research reveals consumers struggling to pay for food and bills are getting caught in a payday loans debt trap. The research also reveals that payday lenders' websites could be exacerbating the problem
LIN Member Report May 2012 - Welfare Reform - Key Changes to Benefits in 2012/13
17 May, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Peter Hall
Although 2013 remains the key year when significant changes under the Welfare Reform Bill will come into effect across the sector (the bedroom tax, benefit caps and Universal Credit) there are other key changes to benefits taking place over the course of the 2012-13 financial year which will affect landlords and their tenants. This network member report rounds up the key changes to benefits and the implications for Landlord Information Network members and your customers over the course of the next year or so.
The Housing Report 2
17 May, 2012
Leading housing groups have warned that the Government is failing to tackle the country's growing housing crisis
In our second Housing Report, the NHF, Shelter and The CIH say the Government is failing to deliver on five out of ten key housing indicators. These include housing supply, affordability of the private rented sector and homelessness. The report urges the Government to make good on its promises, in particular to 'get Britain building', which as well as providing much-needed homes for thousands of families, will also deliver new jobs and economic growth.
Personal Independence Payment user-centred design: Strand 1 report
15 May, 2012
DWP Research Report 794
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Insight commissioned this User Centred Design research to ensure that claimants are central to the design and development of Personal Independence Payment. It was conducted by IFF Research on behalf of the DWP. The report findings illustrate the first part of an ongoing programme of research. This consisted of 21 focus groups and 46 face-to-face in-depth interviews, conducted in September and October 2011. The report concludes that the design should include: A better institutional memory of claimants' requirements and needs. Claimants want to feel that the information they provide the DWP with is being recorded and taken into account so that they do not have to provide the same information on multiple occasions. Tailoring of the process to customer needs. Customers ideally want the application process to include some tailoring to their circumstances. Building in review phases so that claimants can check and amend/accept the details they have provided (and perhaps what has been written about them). Clear response to all evidence provided. For individuals to have faith that their case has been properly assessed, it is critical for them to feel that all the evidence that they have provided has been considered.
Welfare changes could harm work programme
15 May, 2012
The Department for Work and Pensions has failed to consider the impact welfare reform will have on its flagship employment programme, according to a group of MPs
In the report on the work programme, the Public Accounts Committee warns that the DWP 'must be vigilant' over the effect of the introduction of universal credit, adding that it could lead to major changes to the definition of claimant groups
Employment and Support Allowance
14 May, 2012
Incapacity Benefits reassessments: Outcome of work capability assessments by duration of claim
Balancing rights and responsibilities - rebuilding the social security system in the 21st century
11 May, 2012
Malcolm Wicks argues many voters have lost faith in the welfare system and that to revive it the contributory principle needs to be restored
The impact of employment changes on poverty in 2020
10 May, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
How will changes in the structure of employment and pay affect income inequality and poverty levels by 2020? Projections suggest long-term labour market trends are set to continue. Examining the impact of these changes on income inequality and poverty levels, this study: Forecasts a rise in income inequality and poverty levels. Cites expected cuts in benefits and tax credits as a major cause of these rises. Suggests the impact on the overall level of relative poverty and inequality forecast for 2020/21 made by changes imposed on employment and pay structures will be small. Conducted at a time when the role of skills development in a reformed welfare-to-work policy environment is high on the policy agenda, and when job prospects for less qualified workers look likely to remain poor, this research is a timely contribution to a growing debate.
Housing providers' approaches to tackling worklessness
10 May, 2012
HACT and Inclusion report outlining how housing providers can increase the impact of employment and skills programmes aimed at getting residents into work
The research, based on a survey of 136 housing providers, concludes that there is significant potential to increase the impact and effectiveness of current housing provider-led worklessness programmes. The report recommends housing providers improve the targeting of employability initiatives; place a greater focus on impact measurement; and build stronger links between housing provider-led initiatives and wider Government funded activity, including the Work Programme.
Affordable capital? Housing in London
08 May, 2012
IPPR report
London is an expensive place to have a home. It faces unique challenges that combine to produce an increasingly unaffordable market for would-be owners and tenants alike. In particular, the government's welfare reforms will have a significant impact on the ability of London's citizens to buy or rent a decent home. This case study report makes a series of policy recommendations aimed at reducing the worst effects of London's housing squeeze.
The future of HB in supported and sheltered housing
07 May, 2012
Support Solutions briefing
Further to the DWP "Consultation on the Future of Housing Benefit for Sheltered & Supported Housing" Support Solutions has news of interest to the sector in the light of recently published minutes of a meeting between Lord Freud (Minister for Welfare Reform), DWP Officials and sector representatives. This Briefing gives a good analysis of what is and isn't addressed as part of this meeting.
Housing providers' approaches to tackling worklessness
04 May, 2012
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion report
This report is the first output of a partnership between Inclusion and the housing action charity, HACT. It captures the range of activities that housing providers are involved in to help residents into work, highlights particular approaches and projects that seem to be working, and suggests ways in which housing providers could enhance their impact.
Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland 2012
02 May, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
How have poverty, work, benefits and education changed in Northern Ireland since 2009? This report updates the 2009 report, written as the recession was hitting Northern Ireland especially hard. Northern Ireland had seen a steeper rise in unemployment than any other part of the UK. Since then, there has been long-term improvement in some areas but persistent problems in others.
Welfare Reform assessing the impact on children
30 April, 2012
Welfare Reform Bill reports by Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY)
NICCY commissioned two reports looking at the impact on children and young people to changes to the welfare system.
New Housing Benefit Regulations (Under-occupation)
30 April, 2012
Read how the draft regulations which govern how the size criteria, also known as the bedroom tax, will be applied. Explanatory cover note by DWP
The role of aspirations, attitudes and behaviour in closing the educational attainment gap
26 April, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
This paper: examines whether the development of children's and parents' attitudes, aspirations and behaviours (AABs) for education affect attainment; and considers whether interventions focused on a specific set of AABs can reduce the attainment gap.
Forced labour in the UK: the business angle
25 April, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
There is evidence of forced labour occurring in the UK. Thus far, research on forced labour has focused largely on exploitation and in particular on the employment conditions and practices that workers experience when they are subject to forced labour (Skrivankova, 2006; Wilkinson 2010). Insufficient attention has been paid to the role of business in this process. The exception to this is a report by Anderson and Rogaly (2005) which explores the common characteristics of industries in which forced labour is occurring and examines the impact of these characteristics on the use of labour. Drawing on such research and knowledge of business and employment practices more widely, this report represents a further exploratory foray into the role of business in forced labour.
A policy report on the future of free school meals
20 April, 2012
Childrens Society report
The Children's Society has warned the Government that its plans for Universal Credit won't do anything to help the 700,000 families in poverty not entitled to free school meals and could exclude a further 120,000
Impact assessing the abolition of working age DLA
17 April, 2012
Disability Rights UK report
The purpose of this analysis is to examine what disabled people predict is likely to happen if government changes mean they are no longer eligible for support. It uses DWP estimates as far as possible to examine potential costs to government.
LIN Member Report April 2012 - Validation of housing benefit by landlords in the private and social rented sectors
15 April, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
This member report looks at how housing benefit claims can be validated by landlords in the private rented sector, in addition to the social sector. The report also includes a list of top tips from a private sector landlord/letting agent who is authorised to validate income and ID proof for Local Housing Allowance (LHA) tenants. In addition the report explores how the introduction of universal credit from 2013 is likely to focus attention on the role of both private and social sector landlords under the reformed welfare system.
How to consider new approaches to allocations and lettings
12 April, 2012
CIH briefing - guidance on core areas of housing management helping overcome the challenges associated with putting current policy changes into practice
Housing market failing older people
12 April, 2012
Britain's housing market is failing to meet the needs of older people despite a rapidly ageing population and growing demand for retirement housing according to Shelter
England's population is ageing, and fast. By 2030 one in three people are projected to be aged 55 and over. Older people will be a diverse group, ranging from economically powerful 'baby boomers' to over-85s with high care and support needs. How will the housing market respond to this demographic change? Do we have the right kinds of accommodation for older people, in the right places?
A guide to The Social Fund (April 2012)
10 April, 2012
Technical guide giving detailed information about benefits and entitlements from the Department for Work and Pensions
This guide gives information about Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans, Crisis Loans, Sure Start Maternity Grants, Funeral Payments, Cold Weather and Winter Fuel Payments. The guide applies equally to people of working age and to people over State Pension age
Abundance of land, shortage of housing
10 April, 2012
The government's 'timid' planning reform will not solve the housing crisis, according to a new report by the Institute of Economic Affairs
According to the report, total HB spending has more than doubled in real terms over the past two decades. This does not reflect a deliberate policy choice, but is a consequence of rising housing costs. The HB formula pegs rates directly to local rent levels, so if rents increase, HB rates follow suit. Just as importantly, if local rent levels rise at a faster rate than local wages, more households become eligible for HB to begin with. Both factors act to increase the HB bill, and an end to this is not in sight, despite all the controversy over HB and benefit caps.
Rental Britain
10 April, 2012
New report on Private Rented sector by Savills and Rightmove
Key findings - the numbers: The total value of properties in the private rented sector is £840 billion, up 42% over the past 5 years, Total rent bill for 4.8 million rented homes was £48 billion in 2011. This is expected to rise to £70 billion in 2016, The biggest challenge is supplying rising demand, forecast to rise to one in five households by 2016 requiring an additional 1.1 million homes in the sector, £200 billion investment is required over the next 5 years and only one quarter is expected to come from buy to let lending, Supply shortage is driving growth in asking rents - av +5.2% rises across Britain in 2011, creating affordability issues in some markets, A step change in institutional investment in new build rental accommodation is needed to boost supply and this needs to be recognised by the planning system, Rents vary dramatically from £48,230 pa for a 2 bed in Kensington and Chelsea to £4,560 in Blaenau Gwent. The investor benefits: Average gross yields vary from 5.3% in the South West to 6.3% in the North West, but there are significant variations within regions, Gross yields average 7.8% in the top performing 10% of postcodes while the bottom 10% deliver just 4.4%, Best total returns over 10 years forecast to come from London and the South East, 7 London boroughs (Newham, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Islington, City of London, Southwark and Hackney) forecast to deliver net total annual returns >8.5% over that period, Beyond London, Elmbridge (in Surrey), Reading, Woking and Milton Keynes are forecast to deliver net total returns >8.0%, compared to <6% in Kirklees and Bradford, In all cases these returns can be exceeded by bulk investors
Collecting and sharing credit reference information: The impact on energy consumer behaviour
05 April, 2012
Consumer Focus report
This research was commissioned to inform understanding of current consumer attitudes and feelings toward credit scoring and explore whether consumers think that they would behave differently if they knew that a company has moved to using more credit reference data
Social Fund Guide
05 April, 2012
DWP
The Social Fund (SF) is a scheme to help people with needs which are difficult to meet from regular income. It is made up of two distinct parts: A regulated scheme which provides entitlement to maternity, funeral, cold weather and winter fuel payments for people who satisfy certain qualifying conditions A discretionary scheme under which people may be eligible in certain circumstances for a: Community Care Grant (CCG) - to meet, or help to meet, a need for community care, Budgeting Loan (BL) - to meet, or help to meet, an intermittent expense, Crisis Loan (CL) - to meet, or help to meet, an immediate short term need. This guide deals with discretionary payments only.
Family budgets hit by 'Bad Friday' bombshell
05 April, 2012
CPAG briefing on the cuts, which families will be affected and the consequences for child poverty
This briefing sets out the cuts that will hit families on 'Bad Friday' and puts them in the context of the full cuts to benefits and tax credits that will have been implemented by 2014/15. It also looks at the implications for child poverty and the dangers to the UK economy - and therefore sustainable deficit reduction - that some economists believe will be a consequence of targeting the cuts to low income families in this way.
Working in neighbourhoods, active citizenship and localism
30 March, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
JRF's Working in Neighbourhoods project offers useful lessons for local authorities, neighbourhood practitioners, and communities, drawing on direct experience from practitioners in Bradford, and many other places. It found: Neighbourhood workers are key to co-ordinate partners and services, broker agreements and solve problems creatively. Active citizenship could be strengthened by tapping into the pool of 'willing localists'. Transferring more control to communities requires new mechanisms to share risk and reward between public sector bodies and communities. Councillors can play a community leadership role, and be honest with constituents, tackle difficult issues head-on, and mobilise the wider community. Central government could offer support, guidance and leadership for action at the local level on the shared challenges facing local public sector organisations and local government.
The Growth of In-Work Housing Benefit Claimants: Evidence and policy implications
30 March, 2012
This research analyses the growth of HB claimant numbers in Great Britain in 2010/2011, including the rapid growth in the number of in-work HB claims
Analysis of figures from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) indicates that: The number of Housing Benefit claimants reached a new high of 4.95 million in December 2011 In-work households account for almost all (93 per cent) of the increase in the number of claimants in 2010 and 2011 In December 2011 almost one in four households who rented their accommodation and were in employment received Housing Benefit The growing number of in-work Housing Benefit claimants will have a considerable impact on government policy. In 2011 the number of additional in-work claimants is likely to have increased overall Housing Benefit expenditure by £490 million. The research also provides a brief review of the factors that could be leading to a change in the financial position of these households which means that they are claiming Housing Benefit to help cover their housing costs.
Universal Credit: The impact on Passported Benefits
28 March, 2012
DWP have published the government's response to SSAC's report into the impact of Universal Credit on passported benefits
The review found that: All passported benefits fulfil important needs and are highly valued by those who receive them. There is no rigorous research evidence to show that the provision of passported benefits acts as a work disincentive: when people take decisions about moving into work or increasing working hours, they take a range of factors into account, The loss of out-of-work passported benefits when people take a job can create an unhelpful cliff-edge and reduce the apparent gains to work, As the number of passported benefits has increased, so to has the complexity in the system and greater simplicity and better coordination of passported benefits is essential: this should reduce administration costs, render passporting more effective and efficient, improve awareness, understanding and take-up, and ensure better targeting. Options for the future should not undermine the policy objectives of individual passported benefits, nor undermine the overarching principle that people should be better off in work than they are on benefits. It is unlikely that one approach will suit all passported benefits in future,and more radical options will need further consideration and may require additional expenditure. The constraint of cost-neutrality creates tensions which will need to be balanced.
Budget 2012 briefing
26 March, 2012
Comprehensive Budget briefing for housing associations which summarises all the Budget announcements and changes relevant to the housing sector
This briefing on the budget identifies key elements of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne's Budget statement, delivered on 21st March 2012, that are relevent to social housing
What will budget 2012 mean for UK poverty?
20 March, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
This briefing draws on evidence from research to show how potential policy decisions in the 2012 Budget would affect poor places and people in the UK. It looks at six issues: Raising the income tax threshold; Tax credits, work incentives and poverty rates; The 'mansion tax' and housing; Increasing housing supply; Older people; and Funding social care.
Almost 8 million people in fuel poverty
16 March, 2012
The number of people who are fuel poor has soared to almost 8 million and is likely to get worse, new report warns
A government commissioned independent review into fuel poverty has proposed a new definition of fuel poverty under which around 7.8 million people will be counted as fuel poor. Findings in the report also show that the government is likely to fail to meet its statory duty to eradicate the problem by 2016
Welfare reform warning to Scottish councils
16 March, 2012
Audit Scotland has warned of 'significant implications' for councils over the introduction of the universal credit as part of the Welfare Reform Act
Hands up and hands on - Understanding the new opportunities for localism
15 March, 2012
Consumer Focus report
Much of what has been written on the opportunities and challenges of implementing the 'big society' has been from the perspective of local authority providers or community development organisations. This new research gives voice to the regular users of services, investigating their attitudes towards greater localism and the appetite for greater participation in both local decision making and service delivery. In the light of the Government's push for greater localism, the research was an attempt to get to the bottom of why and how people participate in their local area and what enthusiasm there was to play a potentially larger role.
Tackling Tenancy Fraud and Data Sharing
15 March, 2012
Report by the Chartered Institute of Housing
This guide covers: Steps to prepare to share data to detect tenancy fraud, how housing associations can share information with the local authority, the National Fraud Initiative and Credit Reference Agencies to detect tenancy fraud, how housing associations can make ad-hoc requests for information about specific individuals from the local authority to detect tenancy fraud and links to further information and good practice
Ending Child Poverty: Ensuring Universal Credit supports working mums
14 March, 2012
How will Universal Credit affect poor families? Report by Save the Children
This briefing argues that the potential positive impact of Universal Credit - the new welfare system due to replace tax credits and most benefits from 2013 - on supporting parents into work and reducing child poverty could be undermined. It identifies three key issues: 1.Insufficient earnings disregards for working mothers 2. Lack of support for childcare costs 3. Universal Credit payments will be withdrawn too quickly
Reinvigorating Right to Buy and One for One Replacement: Information for Local Authorities
13 March, 2012
This guide sets out the key information for Local Authorities about how the new changes to the Right to Buy policy will affect them
The Right to Buy scheme was introduced in 1980 and gives qualifying social tenants the right to buy their home at a discount. In Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England, the Government announced its intention to increase the caps on Right to Buy discounts to enable more tenants to achieve their ambition for home ownership. The Government has now announced its planned changes to the Right to Buy scheme, with details of how one for one replacement will work. Subject to Parliament, these changes will take effect from 2 April 2012
Save Child Benefit
08 March, 2012
CPAG report
Child benefit, the only near-universal payment for children, is under threat. The only payment that recognises that people who have children need more money than people who do not - whatever their income - is in danger. The amount of child benefit paid to families has been frozen until 2014 and, from 2013, will also be 'clawed back' from many families in a complex and deeply unfair way.
LIN Member Report March 2012 - Welfare Reform - What Next?
08 March, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Peter Hall, Director, PHHS.
Following its final ping-pong between the House of Commons and House of Lords last week, Royal Assent and passage onto the statute books is the next stage for the Welfare Reform Bill. This network member report rounds up the key welfare reform issues which will have an impact on Landlord Information Network members and your customers over the course of the next year, and the key implications to help in preparing for them.
Welfare Reform Act 2012: key issues
08 March, 2012
Read briefings on the key issues contained in the Welfare Reform Act 2012
The Welfare Reform Act received Royal Assent on 8th March 2012. The Act introduces a new Universal Credit which will replace most existing benefits and limits the total amount of benefit a person can claim. It also introduces a new size criteria or 'bedroom tax' in the social rented sector. The welfare reforms impact on the way tenants receive benefit, in many cases, removing the option of having benefits paid direct to landlords
Social justice and the future of flood insurance
07 March, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
What would be a fair model for flood insurance? Catastrophic flooding has become increasingly frequent in the UK and, with climate change, is likely to become even more frequent in the future. With the UK's current flood insurance regime ending in 2013, this 'Viewpoint' argues that: There is an overwhelming case for rejecting a free market in flood insurance after 2013; This market-based approach threatens to leave many thousands of properties uninsurable, leading to extensive social blight; There are a number of possible flood insurance models that would be fairer and more sustainable. The Viewpoint outlines three approaches to 'fairness' in flood insurance, and argues that the second and third of these would be the most 'solidaristic' - i.e. those at lower risk of flooding would contribute to the support of people at higher risk: 'Pure actuarial fairness' - insurance costs directly reflect the level of risk faced by individuals; 'Choice-sensitive fairness' - insurance costs should reflect only those risks that result from each individual's choices; 'Fairness as social justice' - insurance should be provided independently of individuals' risks and choices when covering basic requirements of social justice.
Working with the private rented sector to tackle youth homelessness
07 March, 2012
Crisis report
Crisis' publication identifies the most effective ways in which agencies are supporting young homeless or vulnerably housed people to access and sustain private rented accommodation. The report aims to share the good practice Crisis found in a succinct and accessible form, describing approaches that are being put into practice successfully by a variety of organisations around the country. An accompanying Toolkit intended to provide guidance and tools that can be readily implemented by existing and prospective service providers.
Breaking the Bank : Family Fortunes
05 March, 2012
Families are facing an unprecedented squeeze on their finances and spending as little as £2 a day on food, according to charity Family Action
Over the past year, families have suffered from soaring food and fuel prices, cuts to vital benefits such as Housing Benefit and the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, as well as a stagnant economy with high unemployment, making finding work which fits around family life and caring responsibilities impossible for many. This research examines the effect of these pressures on families who use Family Action's services across England
Evaluation of the Fit for Work Service pilots: first year report
02 March, 2012
This DWP report presents the findings from the first year of the evaluation of the Fit for Work service pilots
In March 2010, 11 pilot Fit for Work Services were established to provide personalised, case-managed support for workers in the early stages of sickness absence or ill-health in order to expedite return to work and support job retention. This report presents the findings from the first year of the evaluation.
Highly Charged - Landlords urged to be more open with leaseholders
02 March, 2012
London Assembly's planning and housing committee report
The report suggests ways transparency of service charges can be improved to prevent leaseholders being hit by unexpected bills.
Rights of disabled people may be at risk, says Joint Committee on Human Rights
02 March, 2012
The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) has published its Report on the implementation of the right of disabled people to independent living
The Report draws attention to a number of significant human rights issues, including: the need for freestanding legislation to protect the right to independent living in UK law the effect of current reforms to benefits and services on the ability of disabled people to enjoy independent living the role played by the UNCRPD in policy development and decision making at all levels of government the use of equality impact assessments the effects of devolution on implementation of the UNCRPD hate crime
Working with the private rented sector to tackle youth homelessness
02 March, 2012
Crisis' publication identifies effective ways in which agencies support young homeless or vulnerably housed people to access and sustain PRS accommodation
The report aims to share the good practice found in a succinct and accessible form, describing approaches that are being put into practice successfully by a variety of organisations around the country. An accompanying Toolkit intended to provide guidance and tools that can be readily implemented by existing and prospective service providers.
Charities warn of welfare reform damage
29 February, 2012
One in four people in Wales will be affected by welfare reform, a coalition of poverty charities and voluntary organisations has warned
This report focuses on and reviews the evidence on the changes to key social security benefits and the likely impact on people and communities, the majority of which are yet to be felt. It finds that hundreds of thousands of people in Wales will be affected by the change to benefits, whether the one in five people of working age receiving a Department for Work and Pensions benefit or the quarter of a million people receiving Housing Benefit.
Welfare Reform - Implications for Tenancy and Allocations Policies and Strategies
28 February, 2012
PHHS report which sets out the key welfare reform implications to consider building into social housing tenancy & allocations policies and strategies
With consultation on the revised regulatory tenancy standards having closed earlier this month, and the Welfare Reform Bill imminently likely to pass into legislation, this PHHS report sets out the key welfare reform implications to consider building into social housing tenancy & allocations policies and strategies to avoid storing up future debts and problems for organisations and their customers
Regulation and enforcement to tackle forced labour in the UK: a systematic response?
27 February, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
How can we improve regulation and enforcement to tackle forced labour? While forced labour is generally recognised as a crime, it is rarely prosecuted because of obstacles to law enforcement and identification of forced labour victims. This paper spells out the challenges, within the complex regulatory environment of the UK labour market. Enforcement is spread over a number of agencies and regulatory bodies; the powers, interests and capacity of these organisations in dealing with forced labour vary widely; and there are inconsistencies in levels of regulation and enforcement.
How can local government build sustainable urban neighbourhoods?
22 February, 2012
This Joseph Rowntree report presents ideas drawn from research and case studies on how to develop sustainable new communities
The UK needs many more and better homes. The Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods Network (SUNN) draws on direct experience of trying to build new communities that will stand the test of time. The report provides a series of tests and guidelines, backed up by research and case studies, including lessons from The Netherlands. It deals first with the product, then the process, and finally recommendations for government.
UK migrants and the private rented sector
20 February, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report which explores the needs and experiences of new migrants living in the private rented sector
New migrants are largely housed in private lettings and form an important subsector of the market, yet the issues that arise are little examined. This report for the Housing and Migration Network aims to fill this gap. The report: provides evidence that most recent migrants live in the private rented sector, frequently in poorer properties; explores the reasons for this and the practical consequences for migrants themselves and for the neighbourhoods where they live; describes the context of recent pressures on the sector and of recent changes in government policy; identifies practical solutions that local authorities, housing providers and voluntary and community groups have developed; examines how government at central and local levels could foster such solutions.
LIN member report - Money to spare: How local authorities are failing to award discretionary housing payments
10 February, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Neil merrick
This member report looks at the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) fund, which is one measure, that could help offset the impact of the Welfare Reforms. DHP's are payable for tenants claiming housing benefit, in cases of hardship. This pot of money was increased to £30 million from April 2011 and increases again to £60m from April 2012. This report highlights that many Local Authorities have not, previously, spent the full amount of their DHP budget, in fact the latest figures show that just under £1m was underspent in 2010/11. The report contains exclusive information collated following a freedom of information request by Claire Turner, Director Landlord Information Network.
Welfare reform calendar 2011 - 2013
10 February, 2012
The Welfare Reform Bill is about to receive royal assent and will radically alter the benefits system
This article looks at why it's important Landlords prepare for the changes ahead
English Housing Survey: Headline Report 2010-11
09 February, 2012
The Department for Communities and Local Government English Housing Survey Headline Report 2010-11
The report included the following highlights: In 2010-11, 7.4 million households were renting their homes with the social sector accounting for just over half of these renters 3.8 million (51%), and 3.6 million households (48%) renting from a private landlord. Within the social rented sector, 1.8 million households (48%) rented from a local authority and 2.0 million (52%) from a housing association. Average weekly rents in the private rented sector continued to be well above those in the social rented sector (£160 per week compared to £79). 63 per cent of households in the social rented sector were in receipt of Housing Benefit, compared with only 25 per cent of those in the private rented sector.The majority of lone parents with dependent children in the rental sectors received HB: 75% of social renters and 74% of private renters.
Localism, Welfare Reform and Housing Market Change: Identifying the issues and responding to the challenge
08 February, 2012
HB cuts could see private landlords 'subdivide' homes for smaller families displaced from social housing leading to overcrowding and homelessness
This report was commissioned by the North Area Social Housing Forum (NASH), to detail the housing and investment issues in North Staffordshire, Stafford and East Staffordshire. The report utilises housing market and economic development data to provide a context for the radical new policy framework context currently being introduced by the Coalition Government. The report concludes with a series of policy recommendations for Central Government, Local Authorities and local housing agencies which seek to improve the delivery of housing and renewal activity in the new environment, whilst minimising social costs for those in housing need.
Impact of welfare reform on the south east housing market - opportunity or hindrance?
08 February, 2012
A CIH report claims that the proposed welfare reforms present serious challenges for the south east & a benefit cap may not be enough to incentivise people to work
The UK has some fundamental economic and social weaknesses that continue to impact on citizens and businesses. Tackling the expanding deficit is currently the first priority for the government. One of the strategies to achieve this includes radical reform of the welfare system, reducing government expenditure on social security programmes, including Housing Benefit.
Analysing the impact of the UK Government's welfare reforms in Wales - stage 1
01 February, 2012
Ministerial Task and Finish Group on Welfare Reform stage 1 report
This report analysed the existing evidence on the cumulative impact of the tax and benefit changes on individuals and households in Wales. This looked at: the number of individuals potentially affected by the changes, the expected monetary impact on household incomes (spatially and by income group and family type), impact on poverty, effects on work incentives, and an initial assessment of wider economic and social impacts.
The impact of cutting housing benefit on under-occupiers in social housing
31 January, 2012
Research reveals the real cost of the bedroom tax
Top 10 tips Toolkit - Added Value Marketing
30 January, 2012
Marketing top tips for housing organisations from the Word Association
Serving Deprived Communities in a recession
26 January, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report
This report explores how budget cuts affect the capacity of English local government to meet the needs of more deprived households and communities. There is real concern that more deprived groups will suffer the most. This report provides early, systematic evidence of the scale of the cuts and of how local councils are grappling with these issues. The report: examines national evidence of the scale and distribution of the cuts across local authorities, highlighting the impact on the most deprived authorities; reports evidence from senior local government officials on their strategic responses to budget cuts, such as service remodelling and moves towards more targeted provision; uses the latest budget data to assess the pattern of reductions within local authorities, and how these relate to deprived groups; considers the changes underway in local government and how it might look in the future.
Assessment of equity release pilot schemes
25 January, 2012
Are equity release schemes the solution for older people? Joseph Rowntree report assesses pilot schemes run by three Local Authorities
A substantial number of older home-owners are income-poor but asset-rich. Their home is valuable, with little or no debt secured on it; but their income is so small that they are entitled to Pension Credit. Many cannot afford to pay for additional help at home, even though this could considerably improve their quality of life. However, the rules on entitlement to means-tested benefits, and the constraints on the terms of equity release loans, mean that such drawings were not a realistic option for older home-owners with low incomes before the pilot schemes.
The Essential Guide to Squeezed Britain
23 January, 2012
The proportion of low and middle income (LMI) earners aged under 35 and renting has more than tripled from 14% in the late 1980s to 47% now, according to the Resolution Foundation
In its Squeezed Britain report the Resolution Foundation said that during the past six years the number of LMIs under 35 who owned a home plummeted from 51% to just over a third. The foundation also said housing costs became a huge burden for tenants during the past decade, with private sector rents increasing by a third in real terms between 1999-2000 and 2009-10. As a result, approximately one fifth of LMI households are struggling to keep up with the costs of a mortgage or rent
LIN member report - How landlords can make use of and contribute to a national tenant database
11 January, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Lorna Stevens, Founder-Director, TenantID and Claire Turner, Director, Landlord Information Network
This member report looks at the benefits to both social and private rented sector landlords in joining TenantID the unique new national database of private and social renters across the UK and Ireland, created to provide those in the lettings industry with information about the rental history of potential tenants.
Responsible Reform
11 January, 2012
A Report on the proposed changes to Disability Living Allowance
This report is a comprehensive presentation of the most relevant evidence available on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and the proposals to replace it with a new benefit, Personal Independence Payments (PIP). It gathers together existing information and analyses over 500 group responses to the Government's Response to Disability Living Allowance reform
Child Poverty Map of the UK
10 January, 2012
A new child poverty map by the Campaign to End Child Poverty reveals East London and Manchester have UK's highest levels of child poverty
The impact of welfare reform on housing (CASE report)
10 January, 2012
This paper finds a number of policy areas where perceived short-term savings are likely to be overshadowed by a set of complex problems in the longer-term
The homelessness monitor
09 January, 2012
Tracking the impacts of policy and economic change in England 2011-2013
Research by the University of York, commissioned by Crisis, which demonstrates that housing benefit acts as the main buffer between low-income and jobless households and homelessness
Right to buy 2.0
06 January, 2012
Institute of Public Policy briefing
Conservative MP David Davis and Labour MP Frank Field join forces in a bid to unlock the capital trapped in social houses where the owner is not allowed to buy their home or cannot afford to do so, and to channel the revenue generated into improving and expanding Britain's sorely lacking social housing stock. The briefing also looks at the possibility of extending the right to buy to all housing association tenants.
Millions rely on credit to pay for home
04 January, 2012
Almost one million people have taken out a payday loan to help pay their rent or mortgage in the last 12 months, according to new research from Shelter
The Shelter survey also reveals that almost seven million people in total are relying on credit in some form to help pay their housing costs, using payday loans, unauthorised overdrafts, other loans or credit cards.
Working in partnership with credit unions
01 January, 2012
Housing practice magazine
Credit unions are non profit making financial services co-operatives set up by members for members. They encourage saving and offer affordable loans. For housing providers, improving the availability of low cost credit to their tenants is an important way of helping people on lower incomes to aviod high cost lenders and loan sharks. This edition of housing practice sets out how an effective partnership between a housing provider and a credit union can benefit residents, the woder community and help both organisations meet their business objectives.
A vicious Cycle - The heavy burden of credit on low income families
30 December, 2011
Barnardo's report which exposes the 'scandal' of credit providers charging low income families up to 150% more to rent-to-own items such as cookers
Build to Let: Rethinking the use of housing benefit to help families out of temporary accommodation
20 December, 2011
NLGN report - building new homes for social rent across 10 London boroughs would be cheaper than housing people in B&Bs and temporary accommodation
London Assembly seeks longer tenancies in private rented sector
16 December, 2011
The London Assembly has called for longer tenancies in a bid to boost standards in the capital's private rented sector
Making the case for universal childcare
14 December, 2011
IPPR briefing paper which argues that the provision of universal childcare should be a strategic priority for public service and welfare reform
Areas most at risk of eviction revealed
13 December, 2011
New research released by Shelter highlights the areas of England where people are most at risk of losing their home
Home truths
08 December, 2011
Series of UK regional Housing Home truths reports, showing the true cost of housing in England from the National Housing Federation
Renting in the Dark:Creating a lettings market that works for tenants
08 December, 2011
Families in PRS accommodation are being priced out of buying a home after it was revealed they have to save for 31 years to afford a deposit
British public take dim view of benefit claimants and don't want new housing built
07 December, 2011
Over half the British public believe state benefits are too high and discourage the unemployed from finding jobs, according to a new report
Sustainable income standards: Towards a greener minimum?
07 December, 2011
Are changes towards 'greener' forms of consumption compatible with preserving a minimum acceptable standard of living?
LIN member report - Latest news on Welfare Reform
06 December, 2011
This LIN member report is written by Peter Hall, Director, PHHS
Following our last Landlord Information Network member report 'top tips to survive welfare reform', here PHHS round up the latest news on key welfare reforms which are likely to have an impact on housing organisations and their customers.
Home Truths 2011: East of England
06 December, 2011
Generation locked out of broken market in East of England as average property price rises to over £237k according to NHF report
Housing benefit cuts: young people face a homelessness 'perfect storm'
06 December, 2011
Recession and spending cuts have already caused a spike in youth homelessness
Imminent welfare reforms could trigger a 1980's-style explosion in rough sleeping report warns
Employment and skills in the North of England
05 December, 2011
This NEFC paper provides an analysis of some of the key employment and skills challenges facing the economies of the North of England
Debt advice could save landlords £50 million
05 December, 2011
Housing associations should invest in debt advice programmes to avoid evictions and tackle homelessness, a new study claims
Monitoring poverty and social exclusion 2011
02 December, 2011
Joseph Rowntree report
The Coalition Government is repeating the same mistakes as Labour on poverty reduction, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's annual assessment of poverty in the UK
The Green Deal
01 December, 2011
A summary guide to the big decisions for Registered Providers and Local Authorities
Lone parent obligations: work, childcare and the Jobseeker's Allowance regime
01 December, 2011
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (CESI) report
Changes to the benefits system for lone parents have been introduced in recent years, with an increasing focus on work preparation and obligations to look for work. As part of the Lone Parent Obligations (LPO) changes, from November 2008 lone parents with a youngest child aged 12 or over were no longer entitled to receive Income Support (IS) solely on the grounds of being a lone parent. Since then, from October 2010, the age of the youngest child has been reduced to seven and over, and the coalition government announced in the June 2010 Emergency Budget that, subject to passage of the Welfare Reform Bill 2011, these obligations would be extended to lone parents with a youngest child aged five and over from 2012. Lone parents who are no longer eligible for IS have been able to move to other benefits as appropriate, including Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). The JSA regime has been amended to include flexibilities for lone parents, for example, in the hours of work they are required to seek. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of LPO on lone parents whose youngest child is aged seven or eight.1 It also aims to inform the delivery of the roll-out of LPO to lone parents with a youngest child aged five or six. The findings presented in this report are based on qualitative fieldwork with 60 claimants across three case-study areas. The findings focus on the work readiness of lone parents, their experiences of childcare, reflections on when their youngest child started school, how they look for work, experiences of JSA and of moving into work. A typology of three broad categories of lone parents interviewed in this research was developed, based on their work and benefits histories: those with a high parenting orientation; those with a strong work attachment; or those who had experienced a critical life event.
White working-class neighbourhoods: Common themes and policy suggestions
28 November, 2011
Joseph Rowntree report
White working-class views of neighbourhood, cohesion and change
28 November, 2011
Joseph Rowntree report
LIN member report - How to survive Welfare Reform, top tips
24 November, 2011
This LIN member report is written by Peter Hall, Director, PHHS
The report looks at key welfare reform changes such as the Housing Benefit (HB) underoccupation criteria which is due to come into effect in less than 18 months. This report (updated to take into account the Governments housing strategy, published on 21.11.11) sets out some key top tips to help social housing organisations and their customer's prepare for and survive the changes to the benefits system.
The Hills fuel poverty review proposal for a new definition of fuel poverty: an analysis
22 November, 2011
Consumer Focus report - analysis of the proposed definition and some possible options for setting an alternative 'energy costs' threshold
Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England
21 November, 2011
According to CLG this is a radical new strategy which will reignite the housing market and get the nation building again
At the heart of the Housing Strategy is a new indemnity scheme that will give a helping hand for up to 100,000 prospective buyers who are currently frozen out of the housing market because of the need for large deposits. Under the proposals, homebuyers will be able to secure loans on newly built homes with only a 5% deposit.
From self-financing to self-determination
18 November, 2011
Local Authority Housing Self-Financing in London - a report by London Councils
Legal aid in welfare: the tool we can't afford to lose
16 November, 2011
A new report exposes the serious consequences for disabled people if the Government goes ahead with plans to cut Legal Aid
Housing demand will 'exceed size of Birmingham'
15 November, 2011
Demand for new housing will outstrip supply by over 500,000 units by 2015 - equivalent to the size of the UK's second largest city Birmingham
This is the conclusion from a new report, 'Tackling the Housing Crisis', from the Federation of Master Builders. The report also reveals that the number of small house builders is at the lowest since 1982 because of escalating costs and regulatory burdens
Welfare reform to hit 133,000 London households
11 November, 2011
Does the Cap fit? An analysis of the impact of Welfare Reform in London. A research report commissioned by London Councils
Incapacity Benefit Reform: the local, regional and national impact
08 November, 2011
A new report reveals for the first time the likely impact of the reforms to incapacity benefits that are currently underway
Wales will be the country in the UK most affected by incapacity benefit change, according to the new research.
Voices of well-being
08 November, 2011
New research from WRVS shows services older people believe are crucial to their well-being are suffering as a result of government cuts
According to the WRVS report older people are feeling more isolated than before, there is little social interaction for the elderly and with the spending cuts these would be reduced to minimum if any at all.
Welfare reform: progress to date
05 November, 2011
LIN member report by Neil Merrick
This Landlord Information Network (LIN) member report gives landlords and letting agents a round-up of where we are to date with the progress of the Welfare Reform bill and its passage through Parliament
Changing direction: Should social housing be a hand up or hand out?
04 November, 2011
Family Mosaic HA has commissioned independent research with its tenants to look at the challenges a five-year tenancy would present
Public Sector Service Satisfaction Index
02 November, 2011
The public service satisfaction index (PSSI) looks at consumer satisfaction across 23 public services
Service users were asked to rate their experiences in relation to the six drivers of satisfaction common to public service delivery; staff attitude, professionalism, accessibility, delivery, information and timeliness. The Index provides a valuable benchmark against which to measure the impact of the Government's reform programme on the key factors that are vital to effective service delivery.
The impact of cutting housing benefit on underoccupiers in social housing
31 October, 2011
Housing Futures report
From 2013 the government is proposing to change housing benefit rules so that working-age households in social housing who are underoccupying their property would see their housing benefit reduced by a proportion of their rent. Research was undertaken to understand how households would be affected by the proposed cut by three members of the Housing Futures Network: Affinity Sutton, Places for People and Riverside. A survey of 452 households from across the three housing associations was carried out. All participants in the survey were underoccupying their homes according to the criteria the government plans to use.
Majority of Councils admit housing cuts will put vulnerable at risk
27 October, 2011
Almost 88% of Local Authorities admit that cuts to housing support 'will put vulnerable people at risk' according to a new report
Build now or pay later? Funding new housing supply
25 October, 2011
IPPR briefing paper asks: 'If we are to increase housing supply, how are we to pay for it?'
Hoarding of Housing: The intergenerational crisis in the Housing Market
19 October, 2011
The Intergenerational Foundation report 'Hoarding of Housing' highlights how much of Britain's housing is "unused" despite the housing shortage
The Housing Report: Edition 1
17 October, 2011
The Housing Report is a new project aimed at holding the Government to account for the promises it has made across a range of areas of housing policy
The impact of cutting housing benefit on under-occupiers in social housing
17 October, 2011
New research has revealed the impact housing benefit changes would have on social housing tenants under-occupying their homes
On the record - Energy suppliers and credit reference information
15 October, 2011
Consumer Focus report which identifies concerns about some of the potential unintended impacts from increased use of credit reference information
Rent rises hit home
13 October, 2011
Shelter research reveals ordinary working families face unaffordable private rents in 55% of local authorities in England
Child and working-age poverty
11 October, 2011
Universal Credit not enough to prevent a decade of rising poverty - report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies
How social sector landlords can be paid benefits direct
05 October, 2011
LIN member report by Claire Turner looks at how, following Welfare Reform, HB payments could continue to be paid directly to social sector landlords
Landlord Information Network (LIN) suggests that a solution, for landlords, to the issue of social sector tenants being paid the housing element of the Universal Credit directly from 2013, could come from working pro-actively with Credit Unions and increasing the use of Bill Payment accounts. This LIN member report looks at the impact of the proposed changes to paying Housing Benefit directly to tenants rather than directly to landlords and also focuses on the benefits of opening Credit Union Bill Payment Accounts for social sector tenants, to help ensure Housing Benefit (HB) payments are secured and paid directly to their landlords.
How private sector landlords can be paid benefits direct
05 October, 2011
LIN member report by Claire Turner, Director, LIN, looks at how HB payments could be paid directly to private sector landlords
Landlord Information Network (LIN) suggests that a solution, for landlords, to the issue of tenants being paid Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and the housing element of the Universal Credit directly from 2013, could come from working pro-actively with Credit Unions and increasing the use of Bill Payment accounts. This LIN member report looks at the impact of paying Local Housing Allowance directly to tenants rather than directly to landlords and also focuses on the benefits of opening Credit Union Bill Payment Accounts for tenants, to help ensure Housing Benefit (HB) payments are secured and paid directly to their landlord.
Youth unemployment - A million reasons to act?
01 October, 2011
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (CESI) report
There is growing consensus that without further action we risk a "lost generation" of young people, shut out of the labour market and increasingly disconnected from work and learning. Youth unemployment is now above one million, with long-term youth unemployment above 250,000 for the first time since the early 1990s. More than one in five young people who are in the labour market are unemployed - giving an unemployment rate of 22%. However not all young people are in the labour market. One third are not working and not looking for work, usually because they are students and so are not included in this calculation. Taking account of these people, the percentage of all young people who are unemployed is 14%, or about one in seven. This, in some ways, gives a more accurate reflection of the likelihood of being unemployed.
Housing Benefit: size criteria for people renting in the social rented sector
01 October, 2011
DWP Equality impact assessment
Introducing restrictions to Housing Benefit for working age customers living in the social rented sector who are occupying a larger property than their household size requires.
Leading the market?
16 September, 2011
A research report into whether Local Housing Allowance (LHA) lettings are feeding rent inflation
Asserting authority:calling time on rogue landlords
13 September, 2011
Shelter policy briefing which exposes the scale and the nature of problems in the private rented sector
Discretionary Housing Payments data 2010/11
13 September, 2011
Discretionary Housing Payments data for the year 2010/11 by local authority, their allocation and the proportion actually used by the LA
Carbon Monoxide trends 1996 - 2010
06 September, 2011
Report by the Gas Safety Trust reveals the risk of fatality by Carbon Monoxide to someone over 70 is now 5 times that of anyone younger
Affordable credit: lessons from abroad
03 September, 2011
We all borrow money at some point and the British propensity to do so is striking in comparison to our European neighbours
More Homes and Better Places
02 September, 2011
Solutions to address the scale of housing need - report by the building and social housing federation (BSHF)
Lone parents combining work and welfare: the role of mini jobs and other interventions
01 September, 2011
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion CESI) report
The financial incentives for lone parents in Great Britain to work in jobs of less than 16 hours a week are currently weak, the rules for Income Support and income-related Jobseeker's Allowance currently allow a lone parent to earn up to £20 a week before benefits are reduced pound for pound for all earnings above this level. The gains of working 16 hours a week or more is substantial because this is the threshold at which people enter the more generous tax credits system. The incentives for both groups may be further blunted by loss of "passported benefits", such as assistance with health costs, and/or withdrawal of other benefits, such as Housing Benefit. Building on Dynamic Benefits (CSJ 2009) and the Department for Work and Pension's (DWP) Green Paper 21st Century Welfare (DWP 2010a), DWP's White Paper on Universal Credit (DWP 2010b) announced a series of major changes to the benefit system to make work pay, including enabling benefit recipients to work in "mini-jobs" of less than 16 hours per week, by reducing the current financial barriers to small amounts of work. This policy paper, produced by Inclusion for the DWP, considers evidence from Great Britain and other countries on the effect that increasing earnings disregards has in moving lone parents into work. It focuses on the effect of enabling "mini-jobs" that allow lone parents to combine work and welfare by working more hours whilst still on benefits.
UK migration: the leadership role of housing providers
25 August, 2011
Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust report
Tenants' deposits
10 August, 2011
This note explains the requirement on landlords to place certain tenants' deposits in a statutory tenants' deposit scheme.
Making a rented house a home-Housing solutions for 'generation rent'
08 August, 2011
New report calls for councils to start accepting private sector housing as meeting section 106 agreements
Housing Benefit: implications of the June 2010 Budget and October 2010 Spending Review
04 August, 2011
Outline of the measures aimed at reducing Housing Benefit expenditure set out in the June 2010 Budget and the October 2010 Spending Review
DWP Local Authority Omnibus Survey - Wave 22
03 August, 2011
Three in five local authorities think that local housing allowance changes will affect decisions about discretionary housing payments
National Salary Insurance
29 July, 2011
Reforming the welfare state to provide real protection - IPPR report
Baby boomers put retirement at risk
28 July, 2011
Britain's housing crisis is forcing the baby boomer generation to risk their financial security in old age according to a report by shelter
Unfair Shares
19 July, 2011
A report on the impact of extending the Shared Accommodation Rate of Housing Benefit by the Centre for Housing Policy and Crisis
The Governments Green Deal
08 July, 2011
Member report by Paul Maplethorpe, Affordable Warmth & Sustainable Energy Coordinator, Rotherham MBC
On 16 March 2011, the Energy Bill was introduced into the House of Commons. The Energy Bill has been designed to provide for a step change in the provision of energy efficiency measures to homes and businesses, and make improvements to Government framework to enable and secure, low-carbon energy supplies and fair competition in the energy markets. The Governments aim is for the Bill to become a law by July 2012 so the Green Deal can become operational towards the end of next year. The broad principles of the Green Deal are that householders will be able to draw from a pool of eligible energy efficiency measures identified by a Green Deal Assessor. Measures will have to be fixed to the property and not removable when occupiers leave. This LIN members report explores how householders and tenants will be able to access the benefits of the Green deal and the implications involved.
Market-pegged social rents & local income distributions
01 July, 2011
Report looks at the interaction of potential new higher rent levels with the total benefit cap proposed by the government
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)
29 June, 2011
Everything tenants and landlords need to know in order to make a successful claim for a Discretionary Housing Payment. Member report by Claire Turner, Director, LIN
The Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) scheme is an independent scheme administered by authorities who also administer Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB). It began in July 2001. DHPs provide customers with further financial assistance when a local authority (LA) considers that help with housing costs is needed. This member report looks in detail at which tenants can claim an additional amount of Housing Benefit via a DHP award and also at how to make a successful claim for a DHP.
UK Housing review June 2011
21 June, 2011
Chartered Institute of Housing report by Hal Pawson and Steve Wilcox
Customer insight into employment support for long-term Incapacity Benefit claimants
01 June, 2011
Centre for Social and Economic Inclusion (CESI) report
Inclusion was commissioned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in partnership with the London Boroughs of Camden, Islington and Westminster, to conduct research examining the support needs of long-term Incapacity Benefit (IB) claimants. The project was funded by Local Government Improvement and Development under their customer led transformation projects. This research is considered particularly important given the current reassessment of IB claimants, which will see them migrated from IB and put on to either Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This research aimed to answer three key research questions: what support do claimants need during the IB reassessment process; what are their employment support needs; is the Internet, in particular social media, useful in providing support?
Making work pay in London under Universal Credit
01 June, 2011
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (CESI) report
Key Findings: Compared with the current system, most London households will be left with less spending power under Universal Credit, with single parents and families with two or more children hardest hit. The only exception is parents who work for less than 16 hours a week. For some income groups, adults will only be marginally better off in work rather than out of work under Universal Credit, as childcare costs are so high. The Universal Credit calculation needs to recognise that there are different 'childcare markets' across the country. The welfare reforms should also include provision for holiday and wrap around child care. The government should consider the option of raising the overall benefit cap for London or raising the housing element of the cap for London, which is currently proposed to be a total of £500 a week.
Reducing under occupation
01 June, 2011
Housing practice magazine
Social housing in the UK is experiencing a period of unprecedented demand and this is unlikely to be met solely through the development of new homes. There is a clear need for providers to also make the best possible use of existing stock. This edition of housing practice magazine sets out how to reduce under occupying while also delivering positive outcomes for existing tenants.
Direct payment of Housing Benefit to a landlord April 2011
24 May, 2011
New Guidance on Direct Payments where the Landlord is prepared to reduce the rent
The general rule under LHA is payment must be made direct to the tenant; not the landlord, however there are certain exceptions to this rule. This LIN publication looks at the circumstances when a landlord can receive LHA payments direct.
Welfare Reform April 2011 (private sector)
01 April, 2011
Welfare reform and the forthcoming changes to Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance. Member report by Claire Turner, Director, LIN
Over the last year the government has announced significant changes to housing benefit(HB) and local housing allowance (LHA). The government's own estimates show that the changes will result in an annual reduction of £2,745 million of which will be made from savings to housing benefit. The impact of these changes to housing benefit will affect tenants and private landlords across the UK. The first of these changes were introduced on 1 April 2011, with the full programme of reforms to be completed in 2017. There have already been several changes to implementation dates and to some of the more radical proposals, including dropping the proposal to reduce HB by 10% for people claiming jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months. It is likely that there will be further changes to come and the Landlord Information Network will ensure that members are kept as up to date as possible. This briefing is designed to give you information on both the Welfare reform bill and the changes to housing benefit and local housing allowance. It will help you to plan how to reduce the impact of the changes for your tenants and therefore how to minimise the negative impact of the changes on your rental income and arrears levels.
A New Approach to Banking
01 April, 2011
Extending the use of Jam Jar Accounts in the UK - a report by Social Finance
Welfare Reform April 2011 (social sector)
01 April, 2011
Welfare reform and the forthcoming changes to Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance. Member report by Claire Turner, Director, LIN (report added to site 5.10.11)
Over the last year the government has announced significant changes to housing benefit (HB) and local housing allowance (LHA). The government's own estimates show that the changes will result in an annual reduction of £2,745 million of which will be made from savings to housing benefit. The impact of these changes to housing benefit will affect tenants and their landlords throughout the social rented sector, across the UK. The first of these changes were introduced on 1 April 2011, with the full programme of reforms to be completed in 2017. There have already been several changes to implementation dates and to some of the more radical proposals, including dropping the proposal to reduce HB by 10% for people claiming jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months. It is likely that there will be further changes to come and the Landlord Information Network will ensure that members are kept as up to date as possible. This briefing is designed to give you information on both the Welfare reform bill and the changes to housing benefit and council tax benefit. It will help you to plan how to reduce the impact of the changes for your tenants and therefore how to minimise the negative impact of the changes on your rental income and arrears levels.
Work, welfare and worklessness: what role for local authorities in a changing landscape?
01 April, 2011
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (CESI) report
Key Findings: Pilot work between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and five English local authorities on new approaches to addressing worklessness has recently reiterated the commitment between central and local government. Local authorities do have a central, longer term role in reducing worklessness and should resist the temptation to reduce their involvement for a short-term budget saving. Local authorities who have targeted the causes and outcomes of worklessness have been effective at reducing the gap between the areas with highest and lowest unemployment rates and have for accounted for the bulk of the reduction in Incapacity Benefits claimants. Understanding and championing those most affected by the economic downturn needs to become a more significant local authority priority, given that those most affected will be the most likely service users. Informing new local ways of working to maximise impacts across all public sector investment, rather than isolated budget management processes, should define this new approach. Local authorities are best place to provide leadership, given their greater levels of understanding related to the history and constituency of their communities.
The Impact of Welfare Reform Bill measures on affordability for low income private renting families
07 March, 2011
Shelter research report
The Welfare Reform Bill, introduced 16 Feb 2011, contains two important measures which will affect Local Housing Allowance claimants (LHA) living in the private rented sector. These effects are on top of changes to the calculation method and the payment caps announced in the 2010 budget and passed into law in November 2010. This research, carried out by Shelter and Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), finds that these further changes will have a severe impact on private renting families' ability to find decent affordable homes in areas with higher employment.
Personalising welfare to work: the case for personal welfare budgets
01 February, 2011
In this CESI paper, Inclusion's Think Tank, supported by the Shaw Trust, presents the case for personal welfare budgets.
Drawing on domestic and international evidence, the reports aims to demonstrate that personalisation at a commissioning level encourages positive engagement among target groups. CESI argues that, by allowing Employment and Support Allowance claimants the opportunity to manage their own budget from which they can build their own support packages, providers have a better chance of improving performance against job-outcome targets and delivering a programme that works for this new category of active jobseeker.
HSE issues new safety alert regarding gas boiler inspections
02 December, 2010
DLA Piper report
Gas safety has become an increasing area of focus and scrutiny by HSE over the last few years with a number of high profile prosecutions following deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning against both corporations and individuals, resulting in sizeable fines, and in some cases terms of imprisonment for the individuals. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (as amended) and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (as amended) place independent duties as regards gas safety on a wide variety of dutyholders. These duties are potentially "qualifying duties" for the purposes of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.