Tag Archives: Housing
A minister for older people would be a victory for all generations
Intergenerational squabbling over housing is missing the point, all generations should welcome the Commons’ decision
With the media drawing battle lines between young and old, last week’s vote in the Commons urging the government to consider appointing a minister for older people could be seen as a victory for the greys.
The debate, prompted by a 137,000-strong petition presented to Number 10 in November, follows increasingly frenzied reporting about which generation is faring the worst in the economic crisis. But, as attendees at a Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) consultation on housing policies for all generations heard, such intergenerational squabbling is missing the point.
The consultation, a result of a partnership between St George’s House and the JRF, brought together senior figures to consider what a fair housing deal across the generations would look like.
Experts Say Landmark Judgement Will Stop Benefit System Discriminating Against Disabled
Leading Lawyer Says Court of Appeal Ruling Confirms Government Has to Give Special Provision To Disabled People So That Human Rights Are Not Breached
Press release
Experts at Irwin Mitchell have welcomed a landmark judgement handed down at the Court of Appeal today which they say sets out clear guidance to ensure that disabled people are not discriminated against by the Government’s benefit system.
Three families challenged the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) which stated that local authorities could not provide housing benefit for extra bedrooms needed by four young disabled people who were living in private rented accommodation.
Concern over plan to withdraw housing benefit from under-25s
Government proposal would hit thousands of vulnerable young people, charities and campaign groups warn
Housing charities and campaign groups have been outraged by an idea floated by Downing Street to strip housing benefits from under-25s and make them move in with “mum and dad” as a way to “make work pay” and save the UK from growing welfare expenditure.
The proposal – which was floated by No 10 earlier this week but is yet to be developed into a concrete proposal – was announced just before a speech on Thursday in which David Cameron praised recent changes to the benefits system as “the most radical, long-term reform” in the UK for a generation. A Downing Street source said: “We are always looking at ways to change the welfare system to reward hard work and make work pay.”
