Tag Archives: ukcuts

Bedroom tax loophole could exempt 40,000 wrongly identified as liable

January 10, 2014   benefits, Carers, ukcuts

Housing benefit experts condemn ‘shambles’ as it emerges that DWP oversight could mean some actually profit from blunder

, and The Guardian,

Social housing bedroom tax

The bedroom tax loophole applies to working-age social housing tenants who are entitled to housing benefit. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian

Thousands of people have been wrongly identified as liable for the bedroom tax, including some who now face eviction or have been forced to move to a smaller property, as a result of an error by Department of Work and Pensions.

Housing experts believe as many as 40,000 people could be affected by the mistake. The DWP says it believes only a “small number” of tenants are affected, which it estimates number 5,000.

All could be eligible for refunds worth on average at least £640 per claimant and millions in aggregate.

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Cancer carers ‘overlooked’ by NHS

January 9, 2014   Cancer, Carers, ukcuts

Macmillan Cancer Support said that so-called “cancer carers” are being “overlooked” by the health service.

It cautioned that many carers are missing out on much-needed practical, emotional and financial help.

The comments come after a poll of more than 2,000 cancer carers found that many were not signposted to support available for them as a carer.

Almost two fifths (37%) said that they were not given any information or advice about the services available to them by a health professional.

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Proposed council cuts to adult social care and cultural services in Norfolk

January 8, 2014   Carers, Norfolk, ukcuts

Proposed cuts to adult social care and cultural services discussed by Norfolk county councillors

Councillor Richard Bearman(front), members of Norwich Green Party and supporters with the petition of more than 500 signatures they presented to Norfolk County Council opposing proposed cuts by the authority to personal budgets and care packages. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY Councillor Richard Bearman(front), members of Norwich Green Party and supporters with the petition of more than 500 signatures they presented to Norfolk County Council opposing proposed cuts by the authority to personal budgets and care packages. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY

Emma Knights emma.knights@archant.co.uk
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
6:33 PM

Proposed council cuts to adult social care and cultural services in Norfolk were the subject of debate at County Hall.

Norfolk County Council has proposed £140m worth of cuts and savings over the next three years, and today the council’s Community Services Overview and Scrutiny Panel looked specifically at those relating to adult social care and cultural services.

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