Welfare Reform on the Web (June 2003): Social Security - UK

300,000 FACE WAIT FOR TAX CREDIT CASH

S. Hall

The Guardian, April 28^th 2003, p.5

Three hundred thousand people claiming under the new tax credit system have not had their benefits paid despite submitting their application forms by the January deadline. The Inland Revenue can give no guarantees about when many claims for four-weekly payments submitted after the deadline will be processed.

AND DAD WAS THERE, TOO

Anon

Labour Research, vol. 92, Apr. 2003, p.15-16

In April 2003, new rights to paid paternity leave were introduced in the UK.

BABIES' BONDS AND REGIONAL PAY TAKE PRIDE OF PLACE IN BROWN'S NEW VISION

L. Revans

Community Care, 17-23 April 2003, p. 16

Presents the measures in the budget relating to social welfare. Outlines the main features of Child Trust Funds (CTFs) and gives the reaction of charities to them.

MINISTER APOLOGISES FOR TAX CREDIT CHAOS

C. Adams

Financial Times, April 29^th 2003, p.3

Dawn Primarolo, Paymaster General, apologised to families who claimed the government's new child tax credit but have not received payment because of Inland Revenue delays.

(See also The Guardian, April 29^th 2003, p.8)

PERFORMING FOR THE "CUSTOMER": MANAGING HOUSING BENEFIT OPERATIONS ACROSS ORGANISATIONAL BOUNDARIES

M. Marchington, F. L. Cooke and G. Helson

Local Government Studies, vol. 29, 2003, p. 51-74

Paper reviews the development of a partnership between the housing department of a London borough and a large private sector contractor that took over the administration of Housing Benefit. Drawing upon data gathered over an 18 month period, three aspects of the relationship between the parties are examined:

• performance levels;
• opportunities for inter-organisational learning;
• the experience of work.

Concludes that there have been few gains for any stake-holders from this process, largely due to the complexities involved in managing contractual relations in this area.

REVENUE'S BUNGLES HIT THE POOREST

P. Inman and M. White

The Guardian, April 17^th 2003, p.10

The Tories have called for an inquiry into the Inland Revenue's handling of the new tax credit system as it 'descends into chaos'. Delays and miscalculations in the new system of means tested benefits will leave thousands of low income families without vital payments.

(See also The Independent, April 17^th 2003, p.2)

TAXING THE PATIENCE

R. Prasad

Guardian Society, April 30^th 2003, p.10

The new tax credits are aimed at fighting poverty. But will they miss many of their targets without adequate welfare advice? Report examines the new complex benefits system.