MORE than half a million people who receive Universal Credit or other benefits have had their payments slashed in a tax raid. The reduction in benefits is due to mistakenly overpaid tax credits that could have happened up to 17 years ago and which many people would have known nothing about, The Times has reported. This has left struggling families on low incomes relying on food banks , or losing chunks of much-needed cash each month because of back office blunders . Often, the overpayments are a result of clerical errors or because people gave incorrect information or didn't inform DWP of a change in circumstance. HMRC granted struggling families a break from these repayments when the first lockdown began in March last year, but this was short-lived. New figures obtained by the Times found that 47,000 universal credit claimants per week have had payments cut since January 18. The same Freedom of Information Request showed that £63 million was deducted from … [Read more...] about Half a million on Universal Credit have had benefits cut by surprise tax bill
Farm credits
The 15 benefits rising today including Universal Credit and pensions
MILLIONS of hard-up Brits on Universal Credit and benefits will see payments rise from today. It's the second year in a row welfare payments have increased after a six year benefit freeze . The increase was confirmed after the consumer prices index (CPI) level of inflation remained low at 0.5% for September last year. Universal Credit claimants will also continue to benefit from a £20 a week uplift , which was introduced last year as a temporary measure to get hard-up Brits through the coronavirus crisis. Here, we explain everything you need to know about how the rise affects your benefit payments: 1. Universal Credit Universal Credit will rise from today inline with September 2020's rate of inflation , which was 0.5%. Claimants will also continue to benefit from a £20 a week coronavirus uplift , which has been extended until September, after which payments will then significantly drop from October. What to do if you have problems claiming … [Read more...] about The 15 benefits rising today including Universal Credit and pensions
Universal Credit £20 increase explained – am I elegible and how to claim
THE Universal Credit payments increase of £20 a week will continue for a further 6 months. Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed it in the Budget announcement this afternoon. Alongside this, the government will make a one-off payment of £500 to eligible Working Tax Credit recipients across the UK. The Chancellor Rishi Sunak first announced the benefit uplift, which is worth £1,040 a year, to help Britain's poorest families through the coronavirus crisis. The increase in payments will apply to all new and existing Universal Credit claimants. Universal Credit claimants in Scotland and Wales will also benefit from the government’s extension of the £20 per week increase. There were initially concerns that payments would be slashed for everyone on Universal Credit from April. MPs called on the Prime Minister to make sure the uplift remained or risk hundreds of thousands of Brits falling into poverty. Campaign groups, such as Citizens Advice, Turn2Us and … [Read more...] about Universal Credit £20 increase explained – am I elegible and how to claim
Universal Credit £20 a week boost set to be extended for six months
A TEMPORARY £20 a week uplift to Universal Credit payments is set to be extended for another six months, according to reports. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have come to an agreement following tense negotiations, reports The Telegraph . * Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates It comes after Mr Sunak was believed to be waiting for the plans to be signed off by the Prime Minister last week, ITV's Peston reported. The Sun has also reported that the support, which is worth £1,040 a year, will stay in place as long as coronavirus restrictions last . If it's given the go-ahead, plans to scrap the boost from April 2021 will be abandoned. The scheme will then be phased out, continuing only for the poorest families. What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit IF you're experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don't cover costs, here are your options: Apply … [Read more...] about Universal Credit £20 a week boost set to be extended for six months
SBV continues tightening control over property loans due to credit growth
SBV continues tightening control over property loans due to credit growth The Saigon Times An overall view of an online conference on credit on April 14. SBV pledged to continue to tighten control over property loans due to credit growth – PHOTO: VNA HCMC – The central State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has pledged to tighten control over credit for some risky sectors, including property, it was announced at a teleconference on credit activities held by the central bank on April 14. As of March, credit had grown by 2.93% against the end of 2020 and by 1.3% year-on-year. The demand for credit is expected to rise in the coming months, said Nguyen Tuan Anh, head of the Department of Credit Policies for Economic Sectors at SBV. Between January and February, credit for the agro-forestry-fishery sector and the industry and construction sector amounted to VND777 trillion, up 0.16%, year-on-year, and VND2,615 trillion, up 1.13%, respectively. As for risky sectors, as of … [Read more...] about SBV continues tightening control over property loans due to credit growth