DWP June 2014 Stakeholder Bulletin published
25 June 2014
Here is DWP’s June Stakeholder Bulletin:
First Independent Review of the Personal Independence Payment assessment
Paul Gray, CB, Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee, has been appointed to carry out the first Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Independent Review. This will report by the end of 2014.
A call for evidence was launched on 23 June, seeking information from anyone with views and evidence about how the PIP assessment is operating. Input is particularly invited from those with first hand experience of the PIP process.
The call for evidence can be accessed here and responses can be sent via an online survey, by email or by post. The closing date is 5 September 2014.
Work Programme Statistics
On 19 June, official statistics showed that close to 300,000 people have found lasting work - normally at least six months - through the Work Programme. This is more than double the number who had secured employment up until the end of March 2013.
The Work Programme, launched in June 2011, has overhauled how the hardest to help people are supported off benefits and into work by providing tailored support for people who are at risk of becoming long-term employed.
For more information, go to the Work Programme statistics here.
Fuller Working Lives: A Framework for Action
The Government has published Fuller Working Lives - A Framework for Action.
This publication explains the benefits of working longer and how DWP intends to help people have fuller working lives. It includes:
.Encouraging people to remain in the labour market in their 50s and 60s,
.The economic case for working longer at an individual, business and societal level, and;
.The Government's role in enabling the wider culture changes needed to realise a planned and secure retirement for all.
For more information, email[email protected]
Restricting Migrants' Access to Benefits - Genuine prospect of work assessments
Changes affecting new claims to Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) made from 1 January 2014, mean that a European Economic Area (EEA) nationals' right to reside in the UK as a jobseeker or a retained worker will not exceed six months, unless they provide compelling evidence that they have a genuine prospect of work. As the changes affect only new claims made from 1 January, the first assessments for affected claimants will take place from 1 July 2014.
A short extension to JSA can be considered only if compelling evidence of a genuine prospect of work had been provided by the claimant.
Pensions Bill 2013/14 gains Royal Assent
The Pensions Bill received Royal Assent on 14 May, becoming the Pensions Act 2014. The Act changes the State Pension system for people reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 (men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953).
The reforms are designed to significantly simplify the State Pension system, allowing people to more easily understand this component of their retirement income, and be more certain of the value of planning and saving for their retirement.
Further information can be found here.
Additional State Pension
From October 2015, existing pensioners and those who reach State Pension age before 6 April 2016 will be able to acquire up to £25 of additional State Pension through a new State Pension top up scheme. The new type of voluntary National Insurance contribution is called Class 3A.
It will give people a guaranteed, index-linked return. State Pension top up can be inherited, with a surviving spouse or civil partner entitled to at least 50% of the additional State Pension.
A calculator is available online and interest in the scheme can be pre-registered by emailing [email protected] or by calling either: 0845 600 4270 from land lines or 0345 600 4270 from mobile lines.