If Betsy Duncan Smith had been in a humorous mood when the Work and Pensions Secretary arrived home on Monday night, she could have screened the movie Ghostbusters. Day one of Universal Credit reminded me of that scene where the … Continue reading →

The overall benefit cap comes into force today, imposing a maximum ceiling on the amount of support a household can claim, regardless of need. It’s popular but controversial, both sentiments stemming in large part from its simplicity: by adopting a … Continue reading →

Amid declining incomes, precarious employment and rising living costs, it’s not surprising that Britons are not terribly financially resilient. New research by Shelter finds that one in five (18%) Britons couldn’t meet their housing costs at all if they lost … Continue reading →

Iain Duncan Smith has just announced [PDF] an important concession on the bedroom tax: foster parents will receive an additional room – as long as they have fostered or been approved to do so in the past 12 months; and … Continue reading →

Concern at the impact of the bedroom tax has finally tipped into the mainstream, as real families have come forward to share their fears about what April will bring. The stories reveal exactly why Shelter and others said the bedroom … Continue reading →