The Welfare Cap

The welfare cap is a limit on the amount that government can spend on certain social security benefits and tax credits. The cap aims to better control spending in an area that can be difficult for government to control. Around half of total welfare spending is included in the cap. It excludes pensions and those payments most sensitive to the economic cycle. The cap was first introduced in Budget 2014 and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) – the UK’s fiscal watchdog – first reported on whether the cap had been met or exceeded alongside Autumn Statement 2014. The operation of welfare cap is laid out in the Charter for Budget Responsibility – the document that sets government policy and targets for the public finances.

We have to take it one day at a time

Over the past three years, Age UK has conducted six waves of research into older people’s health
and care. Initially, this was focused on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and we heard about
how much older people were struggling with accessing healthcare, managing their own physical
and mental health, taking part in community life and caring for others. This had a huge impact on
both physical and mental health, as older people were unable to get the care and support that they needed.

NHS charges

This paper sets out the basis for various NHS charges. It covers exemption criteria and explains variations in the devolved nations. The paper examines recent changes to NHS charges, including the introduction of a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescription prepayment certificate in 2023. It also discusses proposed changes to the charging regime, such as increasing the qualifying age for free prescriptions to align with State Pension age and calls to extend the list of medical exemptions from prescription charges.

Critical Links between resettlement in the UK and rising rates of street homelessness

Monopoly House on a Calculator

A report released today by the Centre for Homelessness Impact sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals being resettled in the UK. Exploring the connection between poverty, education, health inequalities and housing, it emphasises the role housing plays in shaping the destiny of those on the edge of society. The report highlights that refugees bear a disproportionate burden, often facing multiple challenges and disadvantages when trying to find stable accommodation.