Universal Credit Transition Drives Sharp Rise in Council Tax for Claimants Tuesday, February 24, 2026 universalcredit counciltax dwp benefits disability migration esa transitionalprotection legal ctr Households newly moved to Universal Credit are experiencing dramatic hikes in their council tax bills, sometimes amounting to thousands of pounds annually, following recent changes implemented by the Department for Work and … Read More
Why the DWP Can Now Withdraw Money Directly from Bank Accounts Sunday, February 15, 2026 dwp benefits universalcredit pensioncredit esa bankaccounts fraud legislation privacy government The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been granted significant new powers that allow it to withdraw money directly from the bank accounts of benefit claimants. This change is part of recent legislation aimed at … Read More
DWP Benefit Fraudster Ordered to Repay £85,000 but Avoids Jail Due to Mental Health Tuesday, February 3, 2026 fraud benefits dwp esa housing repayment mentalhealth sentencing cumbria justice Louise Stuart, 60, from Maryport, Cumbria, has been handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence after being caught defrauding the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) out of £85,000. She claimed Employment Support … Read More
DWP to End Income-Related ESA for 650,000 Claimants and Accelerates Migration to Universal Credit Monday, January 12, 2026 dwp universalcredit esa migration benefits incomerelated transition claimants housingbenefit managedmigration The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to end income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), a benefit currently claimed by approximately 650,000 people. This benefit is being phased out and fully replaced … Read More
DWP Benefits Claimants at Risk of Being Wrongly Flagged in Bank Account Checks Thursday, November 20, 2025 dwp benefits fraud universalcredit esa pensioncredit bankaccount overpayments data verification People receiving certain Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits face the risk of being wrongly flagged during new bank account checks introduced as part of anti-fraud efforts. Martin Hartley, group Chief Commercial … Read More
Thousands on Universal Credit Face Council Tax Hikes Up to £1,000 After Benefit Changes Tuesday, November 18, 2025 universalcredit counciltax somerset disability welfarereform lcwra esa hardshipscheme socialcare localgovernment Thousands of Universal Credit recipients in Somerset have been confronted with significantly higher council tax bills—some rising by as much as £1,000—following recent adjustments to the council tax reduction scheme. More … Read More