Francis Hobson

Sep 1, 2023 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Andrew Mackley |Francis Hobson |Steven Kennedy

Three recent e-petitions called for changes to disability benefit assessments in the UK. For each of these, Government responses explained current policy on disability benefit assessments, and noted recent reforms and plans for change. This debate pack provides further background on the issues raised.

Aug 2, 2023 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Francis Hobson |Rachael Harker

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) is a government loan scheme helping with the interest costs of mortgages and certain home loans for claimants of means-tested benefits:Universal Credit, as well as the means-tested ‘legacy’ Department for Work and Pensions benefits it is replacing. Pension Credit. SMI used to be a social security benefit but became a loan scheme in 2018. Only claimants in rented accommodation can receive non-repayable support for housing costs.

Jul 18, 2023 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Andrew Mackley |Francis Hobson |Steven Kennedy

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has the power to make direct deductions from benefit payments to pay certain debts and costs owed by claimants. This can include money owed to the Government due to a benefit overpayment or loan, or to a third party such as a landlord, utility provider, local authority, and the courts. Universal Credit (UC) broadly replicates the rules which apply in the legacy benefits it replaces.