Author: alanmarkey

By Posted on Posted in Campaigns

NAWRA has identified an issue with clients being incorrectly turned down for, or being discouraged from claiming, free school meals. We believe this issue to be widespread following a random check of 11 council websites of whom 7 were showing incorrect criteria. Children are eligibla for free school meals if a parent receives any of the following: Income Support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 The guaranteed …

Incorrect advice about free school meals Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Campaigns

We have submitted our response to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) enquiry into government proposals to extend the number of benefit waiting days from three to seven. NAWRA has strongly condemned the proposal, stating that the change would impact disproportionately on disabled people and those who have not been in regular employment. It will be another cut to those who have already been adversely affected by a string of welfare reforms including restrictions to local housing allowance, the bedroom …

Consultation on benefit waiting days Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Meetings

Our next meeting will be in Stockton on Tees on Friday 13th June 2014. The agenda is available now. As always, it will be a heady mix of lively speakers, interactive workshops and plenty of opportunity for networking and sharing ideas with colleagues from around the UK. If that sounds good, and you aren’t already a member, then why not join us now? It’s definitely worth the membership fee as, once you’ve joined, attendance at the meetings is completely free! …

We’re coming to Stockton on Tees! Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Committee, Members Tagged with ,

Our annual report, approved by the AGM at Sheffield on 28th February 2014, includes highlights from the year, our recent policy work and information about the committee. It can be downloaded here. The AGM also approved our finance report. Those interested in the numbers can download the figures here.

By Posted on Posted in Campaigns, Resources Tagged with ,

A quote from our recent paper on the use of benefits sanctions has been reported in today’s edition of ‘The Guardian’ newspaper. In our response to the Oakley independent review of Jobseeker’s Allowance sanctions, we concluded that: “As a result of the above claimants are experiencing extreme hardship through no fault of their own. NAWRA members report claimants having to use foodbanks, being unable to top up gas or electricity meters, and falling into rent arrears in some cases leading …

NAWRA in The Guardian Read more »