NAWRA has sent a formal response to the Work and Pensions Committee Universal credit update inquiry.  Thank you to all the members who responded to our request for information – your help has been invaluable, as always. NAWRA has serious concerns about Universal Credit – in particular as the full service rolls out.  We have called for a range of changes to be implemented if the full rollout is to have a chance of success.  These include: Allowing alternative payment arrangements …

Universal Credit inquiry Read more »

Thanks to all members who attended our meeting in Edinburgh earlier this month and to City of Edinburgh Council for hosting us at the City Chambers. Minutes of the meeting and presentations by the guest speakers and workshop facilitators  

At our Glasgow conference today we heard an impassioned appeal from Dr David Webster, from the University of Glasgow, for the current sanctions regime to be abolished. Some links to Dr Webster’s research, his presentation at NAWRA and some further resources that may be of use to advisers are available in the members’ area.

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 »