News Archives - Page 4 of 9 - Grampian Advice Forum

DWP Service Improvements: What Advisers Need to Know

✅ What advisers should know – claimant impact (DWP Follow‑up) Sixtieth Report of Session 2024-26 Response to Select Committee report on service performance Why this matters for claimants Bottom line:Improvements are promised, but advisers should expect continued variability in service quality and remain prepared to challenge decisions, escalate complaints, and support vulnerable clients assertively. Government […]

DWP Service Improvements: What Advisers Need to Know Read More »

State Pension age change

Guidance, News / Stuart Reid

State Pension age change: what advisers need to know (from April 2026) From 6 April 2026, the UK State Pension age (SPA) is rising from 66 to 67. This is a planned and legislated change, but it is now live and beginning to affect clients approaching retirement. What is changing? Who is affected? A client

State Pension age change Read More »

New rules to support people arriving in Scotland

News, Scottish Government / Stuart Reid

New help for people fleeing a crisis Social Security Scotland has introduced new, long-term rules to help people who come to Scotland because of a crisis in another country. These rules make it easier and quicker for people to get the support they need when they arrive. They replace the need for special emergency laws each

New rules to support people arriving in Scotland Read More »

DWP guidance on the removal of the two-child limit

Guidance, News / Stuart Reid

This ADM memo provides guidance on the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Act 2026, which comes into force on 6 April 2026. It explains how the change affects entitlement to the Universal Credit child element (CE) and how decision makers should apply the new rules. Since 6 April 2017, Universal Credit has generally

DWP guidance on the removal of the two-child limit Read More »

Pushed into the wrong job?

News, Reports / Stuart Reid

Assessing the link between conditionality and poor quality employment By Max Mosley, Tom Stephens 10 February 2026 Successive central governments have designed benefit programmes with high levels of conditionality. The programmes have required claimants to actively look for work, in order to keep accessing social security. While some level of conditionality is not unusual compared to other

Pushed into the wrong job? Read More »

What’s Going On With DWP’s New Bank‑Account Check Powers?

News, Universal Credit / Stuart Reid

The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns about new powers the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) now has. These powers relate to checking people’s bank accounts to help tackle benefit fraud and errors. Here’s what clients need to know. 1. What Powers Does DWP Now Have? Since December, the DWP can:

What’s Going On With DWP’s New Bank‑Account Check Powers? Read More »

NRNE’s Multimedia Bulletin

Local, News / Stuart Reid

Building on our January 2026 bulletin, we are happy to share our latest multimedia bulletin. We encourage everyone to use this list as inspiration and work through a few of the pieces in the next few weeks. If you have any suggestions, need clarification, or are having trouble accessing any of the materials, please do not

NRNE’s Multimedia Bulletin Read More »

Support towards funeral costs

News, Scottish Government / Stuart Reid

Financial help available for funerals during winter. Those who lose someone over the winter months are encouraged to apply for support to help with funeral costs. Funeral Support Payment is delivered by Social Security Scotland and is available to people living in Scotland who receive certain benefits. The payment can help cover some of the

Support towards funeral costs Read More »

More than £300 support for primary school children

News, Scottish Government / Stuart Reid

People urged to apply for School Age Payment before February deadline. Parents and carers in Scotland have until midnight on 28 February 2026 to apply for over £300 of support for children when they are old enough to start primary school. School Age Payment is worth £319.80 for each child to help with the cost of preparing

More than £300 support for primary school children Read More »

Section 8 Delay Raises Concerns Over Avoidable ADP Appeal Backlogs

News, Scottish Government / Stuart Reid

Published: 28 January 2026For welfare rights and money advice professionals Frontline advisers may soon see changes to the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) appeals process, following renewed pressure on the Scottish Government to commence key legislative provisions aimed at reducing unnecessary delays. The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has formally written to the Cabinet Secretary

Section 8 Delay Raises Concerns Over Avoidable ADP Appeal Backlogs Read More »