Housing benefit caps face legal challenge

High Court to hear housing benefit challenge

A High Court challenge against the legality of housing benefits cuts is due to be heard today.

Charity loses court benefit fight against govt

The High Court has rejected a claim brought against the government by a charity which argued that cuts to housing benefit would disproportionately hit minority families and were beyond the power of the secretary of state.

Charity calls for Budget relief for poor families

A child poverty charity has called on the chancellor to increase child tax credits and further incentivise working families as part of his Budget this week.

Poverty front line

Lords amendments to Welfare Reform Bill beaten

The government has succeeded in overturning a series of crucial amendments made by the Lords to the Welfare Reform Bill.

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.

A charitable case for relief

Exemptions from CIL are available but it’s advisable to check the details, says Mark Burrows, associate at Penningtons Solicitors

New criteria

A Court of Appeal ruling has defined what constitutes sheltered accommodation, says Robert Wassall

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