Charity takes government to court over benefit reforms

Charity wins right to take government to court over benefit reforms Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is forcing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to defend plans to cap housing benefit in the high court, after it was granted a fast-track judicial review. The case, to be heard in the high court today, will see the government defend plans to cap the local housing allowance to the cost of a four-bedroom home, regardless of household size. The charity claims the plans will see 9,000 households and around 20,000 children moved from their homes as a result, a figure disputed by the DWP which claims that a "tiny minority" will have to move. Fears grow for homeless as fewer projects and beds reported Homelessness charity Homeless Link has revealed there are almost 40 fewer homelessness projects and 1000 fewer bed spaces across the country compared to this time last year. In a new study, the charity found half of all homelessness providers had seen a reduction in income and, of those, 63% claimed the cut had a direct impact on their clients. The report came as some councils announced they will be making cuts of up to 50% to Supporting People grants, raising concerns about provision of care and support for vulnerable and homeless people. Older people told to run own services Decentralisation minister Greg Clark has told residents in sheltered housing schemes to consider using the right to challenge to deliver their own warden services if councils cut staff. In answer to a parliamentary question tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Adrian Sanders, Mr Clark said residents have the right to bid for tender of services themselves. But Joe Oldman, policy advisor at Age UK, claimed the idea was unrealistic and raised concerns over budget restrictions which may affect the right to challenge.