There has been a widespread move towards hybrid working and office space downsizing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  NAWRA has published this good practice statement as a guide to office requirements for welfare rights staff that aims to ensure that professional standards can be upheld. It also highlights some potential pitfalls to avoid.

It is hoped that welfare rights managers and organisations will find it useful to support their case for dedicated office space.

NAWRA has submitted its response to the Work and Pensions Committee’s inquiry into Health assessments for benefits.

A big thank you to all those who took the time to respond to our survey and to Central England Law Centre and Warwick Law School who undertook the research into delays issuing UC50s. We submitted their research as part of our response. Also, many thanks to Daphne Hall for collating the survey responses and drafting the submission.

NAWRA has submitted a response to the Health and Disability Green Paper consultation.

We have asked the government to focus on needs, not affordability and to provide support, not sanctions for disabled people. We have asked them to listen to and believe claimants and provide choices. We have also emphasised the importance of funding good quality advice and advocacy. We have suggested that the DWP would do well to look at Social Security Scotland and its values of ‘dignity, fairness and respect’.

Thanks to all members who contributed to this submission via email and survey and also at our conference last month. Huge thanks to Daphne Hall (rightsnet) for drafting the submission.