Good legal news

We're pleased to be able to open this newsletter with some good news. 

On Monday we won our case in the Court of Appeal that involved four single working mothers whose regular monthly pay dates for their wages fell close to the start/end of their universal credit assessment periods, resulting in them sometimes having two paydays in one assessment period. Because of the way the universal credit computer system assesses earnings they had fluctuating income and significant cash losses. The government announced yesterday that they will not appeal the judgment.

And last month we won a case again at the Court of Appeal that involved a child and a woman with a disability who were forced to claim universal credit (losing money as a result) because their previous benefits were stopped as a result of DWP errors.

Find out about all our cases at cpag.org.uk/legal

Coronavirus

Learning in lockdown

As part of our Cost of the School Day project we have conducted research into the effects of the pandemic on children and families’ experiences of learning in lockdown. Through surveys and interviews with almost 5,000 parents, carers, children and young people, we found that the cost burdens of school closures have fallen most heavily on families already living on a low income. For example, one third of the families who are most worried about money have had to buy a laptop or other device. Families told us how the various replacements for free school meals were working, with direct payments into families' bank accounts proving the most valuable during the pandemic. We're delighted that free school meal alternatives will continue during the summer holidays and will continue to push for direct payments wherever possible.

More support for families needed

We are pushing for more support for families as part of the government's response to the Coronavirus and beyond. We were pleased to see some progress on local crisis support in recent weeks, with £63 million given to councils in England. But there is much more to do. We're advocating for change on several fronts.

• Our latest Coronavirus briefing sets out our priorities.
• ​We are advocating for an increase in child benefit as well as for the benefit cap to be lifted. 
• No one knows what the future can hold is our latest report showing why the two-child limit should be lifted, written with the Church of England.
• Cash in a Crisis looks at good practice in local welfare assistance schemes in England. 
• We continue to publish regular briefings from our Early Warning System on the problems advisers are seeing in the social security system at this time.
• We have looked at the disproportionate impact of Coronavirus policies (or lack thereof) on families.

You can see all our Coronavirus-related work together at cpag.org.uk/coronavirus

Black children's lives matter

Rising child poverty is a national scandal, but we don't talk enough about the fact that children in black and minority ethnic families are more likely to experience poverty. The challenge for us all is to put these issues at the top of our agenda – child poverty is not colour blind, so our campaign to end it must not be either.

Remembering John Veit-Wilson 

We learned with great sadness of the death of John Veit-Wilson – our longstanding friend and inspiration – on 10 May. John was CPAG's last remaining founder member. He was a Trustee for many years and an intellectual power house on our policy committee. He will be sadly missed.

Woolly Originals raises £2,170

Since April, former welfare rights adviser Sarah has been kindly supporting CPAG through her Woolly Originals business. She has donated half of the proceeds from the sales of her beautiful handmade bags meaning a tremendous £2,170 for CPAG.

During the summer she also plans to hike the equivalent length of the Hebridean Way (156 miles), aiming to raise a further £500. Thank you so much Sarah! ​

Support her epic challenge. 

2021 London Marathon place up for grabs

We are pleased to share that we have a place in the 2021 London Marathon. If you fancy taking on the challenge for CPAG, please email Alice on [email protected] for details.

2020 VISION

The book explores what has been achieved since Tony Blair’s pledge to end child poverty, what went wrong and the lessons that can be learned from the past twenty years. It outlines a new ambitious plan to end child poverty for good.

Find it at cpag.org.uk/2020vision

An event planned to mark the launch of the book had to be delayed because of Covid-19 restrictions but we plan to re-schedule it as soon as possible.

Help with Housing Costs

Across two volumes Shelter’s Help with Housing Costs publications cover universal credit, council tax rebates and housing benefit.

Volume one specifically covers the rules across the UK for help with personal housing costs available through universal credit, mortgage interest loans, council tax rebate schemes in Great Britain and the rate rebate scheme in Northern Ireland.

Volume two covers the rules for housing benefit for rent payments across the UK. It is designed to complement volume 1 which covers universal credit, council tax and rate rebates, and certain matters common to housing benefit and universal credit, including appeal tribunals and the rules about migrants and recent arrivals.

Disability Rights Handbook

The Disability Rights Handbook provides in-depth information and invaluable guidance on the benefits system and social care services.

Filled with lots of useful tools and tactics to help you make a successful claim, this year’s edition also includes more on universal credit and also covers devolved Scottish benefits.

It explains the three key disability benefits: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance, as well as the assessment process, and includes guidance on how to complete the claim forms.

Cover price £36

Webinar - Benefits in a time of Coronavirus

Wednesday 8 July |1.00pm – 3.00pm

Over recent months, a combination of new earnings-replacement schemes, changes to existing benefit regimes, and, for many, the transformation of normal family life, have prompted a range of new issues for advisers and their clients.

Our upcoming Benefits in a time of Coronavirus webinar will examine the most significant issues raised by advisers and the government’s response, and suggest strategies which advisers can use to resolve persistent concerns.

It will also consider some of the legal issues which arise as a result of Covid-19, and the position of EU citizens seeking to claim universal credit at the present time.

Find our more and book your place