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• Consumer Credit (Amendment) Regulations 2010
  New regulations issued to correct errors in three of the five sets of regulations which were made in March 2010 to implement the 2008 EC Consumer Credit Directive. (10 August, 2010)
• 64,000 people with disabilities at risk of losing their homes
  Reduction in Support for Mortgage Interest payments to bring them into line with the Bank of England average mortgage rate puts people at risk of plunging into arrears, says National Housing Federation. (10 August, 2010)
• Employment case law round up
  Latest decisions added to the Tribunals Service website. (10 August, 2010)
• Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2010
  New statutory instrument that provides for the coming into force of specified provisions of the 2010 Act, including in relation to the definition of 'disability'; the duty to make 'reasonable adjustments'; and exceptions to the equality of terms provisions. (09 August, 2010)
• Changing security of tenure for existing social housing tenants should not be on the table
  Government must take time to discuss proposals with tenant groups and social landlords, says National Housing Federation. (09 August, 2010)
• Government urged to consider banning strikes in essential public services
  Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development says ministers should consider tightening laws on strike ballots and consider high stake options if confronted with strikes in key industries. (06 August, 2010)
• Housing (Amendment) (2010 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010
  New legislation that brings into force specified provisions of the 2010 Act in relation to, for example, homelessness; the activities of housing associations; anti-social behaviour; and possession proceedings. (06 August, 2010)
• Average household debt stands at more than £57,000
  Credit Action releases new debt statistics which also highlight over 1700 people made redundant daily. (06 August, 2010)
• Increasing trend of people seeking insolvency or being forced insolvent is ‘deeply concerning’
  Money Advice Trust responds to personal insolvency figures released by the Office of National Statistics. (06 August, 2010)
• Four in ten councils have missed key target in social care transformation programme
  New report by Opportunity Links highlights variation in progress of local councils in delivering joined up, universal information and advice services. (05 August, 2010)
• PM, R (on the application of) v Hertfordshire County Council
  New High Court judgment that considers whether a local authority was right to withdraw accommodation and support provided under the Children Act 1989 as a result of an Immigration Tribunal having held that the appellant was over 18. (05 August, 2010)
• Housing Law update
  Issue 185 of Garden Court Chambers' Housing Law Bulletin is now available. (05 August, 2010)
• Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2010
  New regulations that, amongst other measures, assist a tenant whose landlord has not received consent to let from their mortgagee, and the mortgagee has commenced possession proceedings, designed to give the tenant time to find alternative accommodation. (05 August, 2010)
• Employment Law update
  Issue 85 of Garden Court Chambers' Employment Law Bulletin is now available. (05 August, 2010)
• Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2010
  New Act makes provision about the enforcement of legislation relating to employment agencies and the minimum wage; the membership of, and representation before, the Industrial Court; and compensation for financial loss in cases of unlawful underpayment or nonpayment. (04 August, 2010)
• Unified Courts and Tribunals System to be introduced by April 2011
  New structure will preserve the unique and distinctive features of both systems for the benefit of all users, says Ministry of Justice (04 August, 2010)
• Prime Minister considering plan to end ‘lifetime’ council tenancies
  Fixed terms for all new council and housing association tenancies lasting as little as five years could be introduced to help increase social mobility. (04 August, 2010)
• National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2010
  New regulations coming into force on 1 October 2010 which increase the principal rate of the national minumim wage from £5.80 to £5.93 per hour and decrease the age at which this rate becomes payable from 22 to 21. (04 August, 2010)
• Government to launch ‘freedom pass’ to improve the chances for social housing tenants to move home
  Housing Minister will introduce new National Affordable Home Swap Scheme to allow tenants to see details of other tenants in council and housing association homes looking for a mutual exchange. (04 August, 2010)
• Employment case law round up
  Latest decisions added to the Tribunals Service website. (03 August, 2010)

More news in other areas of social welfare law

• Consumer Credit (Amendment) Regulations 2010
  New regulations issued to correct errors in three of the five sets of regulations which were made in March 2010 to implement the 2008 EC Consumer Credit Directive. (10 August, 2010)
• Average household debt stands at more than £57,000
  Credit Action releases new debt statistics which also highlight over 1700 people made redundant daily. (06 August, 2010)
• Increasing trend of people seeking insolvency or being forced insolvent is ‘deeply concerning’
  Money Advice Trust responds to personal insolvency figures released by the Office of National Statistics. (06 August, 2010)
• Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
  New regulations that enable applications for help under the Warm Front Scheme to be refused when the scheme's annual budget has already been allocated. (30 July, 2010)
• Sternlight v Barclays Bank Plc
  New High Court judgment that considers whether the rate of interest set out in credit agreements agreed under the Consumer Credit Act was mis-stated with the effect that they were "irredeemably unenforceable". (30 July, 2010)
• 46 per cent of those with debt problems report health issues as a result of their debt
  Survey of Consumer Credit Counselling Service clients reveals high human cost of debt problems. (27 July, 2010)
• One in six pre-pay households have ‘self disconnected’ their energy supply in the last year
  New research highlights that almost half of affected households have someone with an illness or disability, and two in five are home to children under 16. (26 July, 2010)
• Welsh Assembly launches new fuel poverty strategy
  Government sets out the actions it will take towards the eradication of fuel poverty in all households in Wales by 2018. (26 July, 2010)
• New rules to strengthen the financial resilience of the credit union sector
  Financial Services Authority announcement on 'near final rules' designed to reduce the number of credit union failures. (26 July, 2010)
• Rent arrears and evictions likely to rise sharply once government’s HB changes come into force
  However, there is little consideration of the impact on local councils at a time when they themselves will be facing budget cuts, warns Citizens Advice. (26 July, 2010)
• Evaluation of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme and Homeowners Mortgage Support
  New government report calls for the longer term role for the schemes to be reassessed in the context of a more comprehensive review of the safety net for homeowners. (23 July, 2010)
• Support for struggling homeowners must be protected to avoid a ‘huge surge’ in homelessness
  Shelter also urges government to continue funding for vital debt advice. (22 July, 2010)
• Government publishes ‘Modelling and forecasting UK mortgage arrears and possessions’
  Report explores drivers of mortgage arrears and possessions, and predicts the number of repossessions will increase during the next three to four years. (21 July, 2010)
• Support for struggling homeowners through the Mortgage Rescue Scheme to continue
  However, government scheme will be refocused to deliver better value for money, says Housing Minister. (21 July, 2010)
• Dwelling Houses (Execution of Possession Orders by Mortgagees) Regulations 2010
  New regulations prescribe the form and content of new notice to be served on any tenant/occupier when the landlord’s mortgage lender seeks to enforce a possession order by obtaining a warrant for possession. (20 July, 2010)
• Banks are ‘ripping off’ customers says Vince Cable
  Business Secretary responds to BBC evidence that banks charging up to 167% on unauthorised overdrafts. (19 July, 2010)
• Government announces plan to establish new national financial advice service
  Financial Secretary to the Treasury sets out plans to promote a responsible approach to personal finance. (15 July, 2010)
• Financial Services Authority outline proposals to ensure borrowers with a new mortgage can afford it
  Clear link between financial overstretch and mortgage arrears, and therefore a strong framework is required to protect vulnerable consumers. (14 July, 2010)
• Government to review consumer credit and personal insolvency
  Opportunity to cut unnecessary regulatory burdens and improve safeguards on consumer credit products, says Consumer Affairs Minister. (14 July, 2010)
• Citizens Advice launches tender for a preferred debt management plan supplier
  Establishing partnership with trusted supplier will give clients the option of choosing a carefully assessed service provider. (14 July, 2010)

More news in Debt

• 64,000 people with disabilities at risk of losing their homes
  Reduction in Support for Mortgage Interest payments to bring them into line with the Bank of England average mortgage rate puts people at risk of plunging into arrears, says National Housing Federation. (10 August, 2010)
• Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2010
  New statutory instrument that provides for the coming into force of specified provisions of the 2010 Act, including in relation to the definition of 'disability'; the duty to make 'reasonable adjustments'; and exceptions to the equality of terms provisions. (09 August, 2010)
• Changing security of tenure for existing social housing tenants should not be on the table
  Government must take time to discuss proposals with tenant groups and social landlords, says National Housing Federation. (09 August, 2010)
• Housing (Amendment) (2010 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010
  New legislation that brings into force specified provisions of the 2010 Act in relation to, for example, homelessness; the activities of housing associations; anti-social behaviour; and possession proceedings. (06 August, 2010)
• PM, R (on the application of) v Hertfordshire County Council
  New High Court judgment that considers whether a local authority was right to withdraw accommodation and support provided under the Children Act 1989 as a result of an Immigration Tribunal having held that the appellant was over 18. (05 August, 2010)
• Housing Law update
  Issue 185 of Garden Court Chambers' Housing Law Bulletin is now available. (05 August, 2010)
• Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2010
  New regulations that, amongst other measures, assist a tenant whose landlord has not received consent to let from their mortgagee, and the mortgagee has commenced possession proceedings, designed to give the tenant time to find alternative accommodation. (05 August, 2010)
• Prime Minister considering plan to end ‘lifetime’ council tenancies
  Fixed terms for all new council and housing association tenancies lasting as little as five years could be introduced to help increase social mobility. (04 August, 2010)
• Government to launch ‘freedom pass’ to improve the chances for social housing tenants to move home
  Housing Minister will introduce new National Affordable Home Swap Scheme to allow tenants to see details of other tenants in council and housing association homes looking for a mutual exchange. (04 August, 2010)
• Scottish government launches tenancy deposit scheme consultation
  Wrongly withheld deposits in Scotland may amount to nearly £3.6 million per annum, due to between 8,000 and 11,000 tenants. (03 August, 2010)
• Sheffield City Council v Wall (Personal Representatives of) & Ors
  New Court of Appeal judgment that considers the right of a foster child to succeed to a secure tenancy under the Housing Act 1985. (02 August, 2010)
• Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
  New regulations that enable applications for help under the Warm Front Scheme to be refused when the scheme's annual budget has already been allocated. (30 July, 2010)
• Lekpo-Bozua v London Borough of Hackney & Ors
  New Court of Appeal decision in homelessness case that considers right to reside of dependant child. (29 July, 2010)
• Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council v Hickin
  New Court of Appeal judgment that considers respondent's right to succession of tenancy following death of mother who was joint tenant with surviving husband who no longer lived in property. (28 July, 2010)
• Housing Law update
  Issue 184 of Garden Court Chambers' Housing Law Bulletin is now available. (27 July, 2010)
• Rent arrears and evictions likely to rise sharply once government’s HB changes come into force
  However, there is little consideration of the impact on local councils at a time when they themselves will be facing budget cuts, warns Citizens Advice. (26 July, 2010)
• National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing and Local Government) Order 2010
  New Order that provides the Welsh National Assembly with legislative competence in relation to social housing and meeting the housing needs of vulnerable people. (26 July, 2010)
• 750,000 at risk of losing their home in London and the south east
  Benefit cuts could lead to the highest number of people ending up homeless in Britain for more than thirty years, says National Housing Federation. (23 July, 2010)
• Proposed changes to guidance on evaluating the extent of rough sleeping
  Government launches public consultation to strengthen the street count methodology and enable assessment of the true scale of rough sleeping. (23 July, 2010)
• Evaluation of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme and Homeowners Mortgage Support
  New government report calls for the longer term role for the schemes to be reassessed in the context of a more comprehensive review of the safety net for homeowners. (23 July, 2010)

More news in Housing

• Employment case law round up
  Latest decisions added to the Tribunals Service website. (10 August, 2010)
• Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2010
  New statutory instrument that provides for the coming into force of specified provisions of the 2010 Act, including in relation to the definition of 'disability'; the duty to make 'reasonable adjustments'; and exceptions to the equality of terms provisions. (09 August, 2010)
• Government urged to consider banning strikes in essential public services
  Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development says ministers should consider tightening laws on strike ballots and consider high stake options if confronted with strikes in key industries. (06 August, 2010)
• Employment Law update
  Issue 85 of Garden Court Chambers' Employment Law Bulletin is now available. (05 August, 2010)
• Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2010
  New Act makes provision about the enforcement of legislation relating to employment agencies and the minimum wage; the membership of, and representation before, the Industrial Court; and compensation for financial loss in cases of unlawful underpayment or nonpayment. (04 August, 2010)
• Unified Courts and Tribunals System to be introduced by April 2011
  New structure will preserve the unique and distinctive features of both systems for the benefit of all users, says Ministry of Justice (04 August, 2010)
• National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2010
  New regulations coming into force on 1 October 2010 which increase the principal rate of the national minumim wage from £5.80 to £5.93 per hour and decrease the age at which this rate becomes payable from 22 to 21. (04 August, 2010)
• Employment case law round up
  Latest decisions added to the Tribunals Service website. (03 August, 2010)
• Exploitation of interns is unacceptable, says Minister
  Employment legislation must not be breached, government says in response to Institute for Public Policy Research report. (03 August, 2010)
• Exploitative sex industry jobs to be banned from Jobcentres
  Government announces 'interim measure' ahead of introduction of primary legislation. (02 August, 2010)
• Employers ‘almost certainly breaking the law’ with interns
  Confusion among employers leaves them open to claims for back-dated pay, says IPPR. (02 August, 2010)
• Driver v Air India Ltd
  New High Court judgment that considers the appellant's contractual rights to payments, on his employment coming to an end, in respect of shift work, overtime, and expenses. (02 August, 2010)
• Seldon v Clarkson Wright & Jakes (A Partnership)
  New Court of Appeal judgment that considers whether the appellant being compulsorily retired at age 65 amounted to unlawful direct age discrimination. (02 August, 2010)
• St Christopher’s Fellowship v Walters-Ennis
  New Court of Appeal judgment that considers whether the statutory burden of proof in a case of alleged direct race discrimination was properly understood and applied by the Employment Tribunal in accordance with s54A(2) of the Race Relations Act 1976. (02 August, 2010)
• Hameed v Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  New High Court judgment that considers the fairness of the appellant's suspension and then dismissal for gross misconduct following an investigation and disciplinary hearing, and the application of Article 6 of the ECHR to disciplinary proceedings. (02 August, 2010)
• Aylott v Stockton- On- Tees Borough Council
  New Court of Appeal judgment that considers whether a tribunal properly applied the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 - relating to direct discrimination, discrimination for a reason related to disability, and to the duty to make reasonable adjustments - to the circumstances of the appellant's dismissal. (30 July, 2010)
• Default retirement age to be phased out from April 2011
  Government to 'give individuals greater choice and move swiftly to end discrimination of this kind'. (29 July, 2010)
• TUC welcomes closure of minimum wage loophole
  Rogue employers have exploited travel and subsistence schemes to avoid paying National Insurance and workers have ended up losing out on pension, sick pay entitlements, maternity pay and tax credits, says TUC General Secretary. (29 July, 2010)
• O’ Brien v Ministry of Justice
  New Supreme Court judgment that considers questions of EU Law concerning EC Directive 97/81, the Part Time Workers Directive. (28 July, 2010)
• Government to amend National Minimum Wage Regulations in relation to travel and subsistence schemes
  Change, to be introduced from January 2011, will exclude the payment of expenses for travel to a temporary workplace from counting as pay for NMW purposes. (28 July, 2010)

More news in Employment

• Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2010
  New statutory instrument that provides for the coming into force of specified provisions of the 2010 Act, including in relation to the definition of 'disability'; the duty to make 'reasonable adjustments'; and exceptions to the equality of terms provisions. (09 August, 2010)
• Four in ten councils have missed key target in social care transformation programme
  New report by Opportunity Links highlights variation in progress of local councils in delivering joined up, universal information and advice services. (05 August, 2010)
• PM, R (on the application of) v Hertfordshire County Council
  New High Court judgment that considers whether a local authority was right to withdraw accommodation and support provided under the Children Act 1989 as a result of an Immigration Tribunal having held that the appellant was over 18. (05 August, 2010)
• Government announces plan to refresh national Carers Strategy
  Minister for Care Services seeks views on the key priorities that will have the greatest impact on improving carers' lives in the next four years. (29 July, 2010)
• Care Quality Commission publishes annual report for 2009/2010
  Priorities include making sure care is centred on people's needs and protects their rights. (28 July, 2010)
• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Miscellaneous Consequential Amendments) Order 2010
  New regulations issued in relation to the repeal in England of the existing registration system for health and adult social care providers under the Care Standards Act 2000. (27 July, 2010)
• DWP Under-Secretary of State makes statement on future of the Independent Living Fund
  Coalition government is committed to ensuring severely disabled people receive the support they need, says Lord Freud. (27 July, 2010)
• G v E & Ors
  New Court of Appeal judgment that considers whether Article 5 of the ECHR, that relates to 'The Right to Liberty and Security', places conditions which have to be satisfied before a person lacking capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 can be detained in his or her best interests. (27 July, 2010)
• Long-term future of Independent Living Fund to be settled in 2010 comprehensive spending review
  Decision to be made on whether Fund remains a separate government agency or whether councils take on responsibility for administering payments for disabled people as part of personal budgets. (26 July, 2010)
• Scottish Government unveils new carers strategies
  Measures backed by £5 million over five years for the voluntary sector to support respite for carers of all ages. (26 July, 2010)
• Health Act 2009 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2010
  New Order that gives the Local Government Ombudsman powers to investigate complaints about privately arranged or funded adult social care. (26 July, 2010)
• Government launches adult social care funding commission
  Department of Health tasks commission to report within a year on how best to reform the social care funding system. (21 July, 2010)
• Personalised social care services to become the norm across local councils
  Government responds to Health Select Committee Report on Social Care. (15 July, 2010)
• Pilot scheme offering more control to individuals given £4m boost
  People to be given more choice and influence over their healthcare, says Care Services Minister. (15 July, 2010)
• Government announces ‘Ageing Well’ programme to improve local authority services for older people
  New programme consolidates current best practice and lessons learned from earlier pilot activities. (13 July, 2010)
• Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts to be phased out
  Government publishes ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’ White Paper. (12 July, 2010)
• Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2010
  New regulations issued that bring into force specified provisions of the Equality Act 2010, including provision for the Equality and Human Rights Commission to issue Codes of Practice in connection with any matter addressed in the Act. (09 July, 2010)
• New research highlights the impact social interventions have on health equality
  However, barriers to social care services need to be addressed to enable inclusion of marginalised communitites, says Social Care Institute for Excellence. (07 July, 2010)
• Mwanza, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Greenwich & Anor
  New High Court judgment that considers a local authority's duty to provide accommodation under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 or section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948. (06 July, 2010)
• Citizens Advice welcomes proposals for reform of Blue Badge scheme
  Scheme is a vital tool in facilitating social inclusion for disabled people, says charity. (05 July, 2010)

More news in Community care