NAWRA would like to pay tribute to Mike Shermer, former committee member for the East of England region, who passed away peacefully on 17 May 2018, aged 74 years. Mike was one of the original members of the NAWRA committee and demonstrated a commitment to the organisation throughout his time with us. Mike was a dedicated welfare rights adviser with Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council and had also served as a Town Councillor for March in the Isle of …
The Equality and Diversity Forum have launched an online handbook to help advisers, and advice services more widely, to identify and challenge potential discrimination within the benefits system. The handbook includes a range of tools and practical help to make it easier for advisers to recognise discrimination issues and to help services to build equality rights into advice delivery. It is an essential resource for everyone working in welfare rights. Currently in beta form, the handbook can be accessed and …
The Equality and Human RIghts Commission have published their final cumulative report on the impact of government Welfare Reforms. The report suggests that children will be hit hardest with an extra 1.5 million being pushed into poverty. In addition, the report finds that the child poverty rate for those in lone parent households will increase from 37% to over 62% and households with three or more children will see losses of around £5,600. They also identify significant and disproportionate impacts …
Excellent article in ‘The Guardian’ on 2nd January 2018, highlighting injustice in the social security system, delays and obstructions in the appeals system and the impact on individuals. As welfare rights advisers, these are all issues we are all too familiar with and the article will hopefully highlight these to a wider audience. NAWRA also gets a mention, in the context of ‘advice deserts’ and the need for comprehensive welfare rights advice for communities. You can read the article online. …
Our next conference will be held on Friday 1st December 2017 at The Council House, Earl Street, Coventry CV1 5RR. The day will include the usual heady mix of speakers, workshops and lively discussion. Remember that it’s free for members to attend! So if your organisation is a NAWRA member, you can come along at no additional charge! Sessions include: Universal Credit and disability Current issues with ESA Migrant workers rights and challenges What does the future hold for welfare …
