In July 2008, the government published a consultation paper on proposals for welfare reform.
Summary
Background
At the end of the consultation period, a White Paper Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the futurewas published, setting out the government’s proposals for the continuing reform of the welfare state.
This included the introduction of Jobcentre Plus and the New Deals. In October 2008, the government introduced the employment and support allowance. New obligations for lone parents with older children were introduced in November 2008.
The Welfare Reform Act 2009 amends laws relating to:
– social security;
– disabled people's access to certain public services;
– child support; and
– the registration of births.
What’s Changing?
The Welfare Reform Act 2009, s 3(1), which requires that regulations setting out prescribed categories of person who are entitled to income support must include lone parents who have a child under the age of five, is in force from 21 May 2012.
