DWP housing benefit cut plans 'cost more'

Housing benefit cuts could push families to loan sharks

Plans to cut housing benefit could force thousands of families into the hands of loan sharks, campaigners argue.

DWP anger at defeat of bedroom tax

A Department for Work and Pensions source reacted angrily to the government’s shock House of Lords defeat over welfare reform.

Going spare

Court ruling could force rethink on bedroom tax

The government could be forced to make changes to its controversial bedroom tax policy following a Court of Appeal ruling this week.

Lords hand government new 'bedroom tax' defeat

The government has suffered a fresh defeat over its plans for a ‘bedroom tax’ for underoccupying social housing tenants.

Going spare

The government’s contentious ‘bedroom tax’ on under-occupying tenants is set to become law this month. Alex Turner looks at the disproportionate effect it’s likely to have in the north

Calling in the movers

The ‘bedroom tax’ is meant to encourage tenants to downsize if they are under-occupying their homes. But, especially in the north of England, social landlords say there are simply not enough smaller houses and flats to move tenants into.

Protecting your reputation

How should employers address the threats posed by social networking sites? Lawyer Siobhan Fitzgerald explains

False start

Landlords must keep all documents relating to tenancies to avoid future disputes, says Jane Plant

The legal aid lifeline

Cuts to legal aid and new spending restrictions mean tens of thousands of tenants will no longer be eligible for free housing advice. Jess McCabe visits a law centre to investigate the likely impact of the changes