The recent changes in government with a new prime minister and cabinet could impact on universal credit and the wider welfare reform programme. The fact that Amber Rudd remains as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions suggests that the process will continue as planned. However, the small government majority and continuing concerns over the design and impact of universal credit mean that nothing can be guaranteed and further changes are inevitable.
This series of CBRS benefits events will provide an update on the welfare reform process as far as it impacts on local authorities, concentrating on universal credit, housing benefit and local council tax support.
The morning sessions concentrate on the changes to universal credit, starting with an update on the managed migration pilot and the wider managed migration process followed by a summary of the ongoing issues with universal credit, its impact and the proposals and recommendations for further changes.
The afternoon sessions provide an update on issues relating to housing benefit and its links with universal credit, followed by a round-up of issues relating to the design of local council tax support schemes (CTS) and other welfare reform issues.