The Benefits Rates Training Company has produced a free benefits rates poster for 2026-2027 which can be found here: https://www.benefitstraining.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/bt_benefit_rates_poster_march_2026.pdf
benefits
Benefitscast – November 2025
StandardThe monthly Benefitscast from The Benefits Training Company features three of their benefits experts discussing the latest benefits news stories including changes to legislation, DWP announcments, relevant case law and guidance. There are links to the sources of the items discussed, and some that aren’t discussed if they think they might help.
In the November 2025 Benefitscast, David, Will and Pamela discuss:
- Warm Home Discount
- Pre-April LCWRA protection
- Working age Council Tax Reduction schemes
- Getting full arrears of the carer element in UC
- Appealing a refusal to revise on grounds of official error; PIP and working caselaw.
Caseworker Discussion Forum: Disability Services Complaints (DWP)
StandardThis is a follow up session from the Forum meeting on 7 August where we were joined by the DWP Disability Services Advocacy team. We will be joined by the Disability Services Complaints team, DWP, who will outline their services and handling constituent correspondence.
Time: 10:30-11:30
Date: 21 October 2025
Location: Online via Teams
Booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1953
Benefits Newscast – May 2025
StandardIn the May Benefits Newscast from The Benefits Training Company, David, Will and Charlotte discuss:
- Fair repayment rate;
- PIP beyond State Pension age;
- What Advanced Customer Support does;
- Severe Disability Premiums;
- ADHD & higher rate mobility component of DLA;
- All migration letters to be sent by September 2025 in Great Britain.
You can listen to the Newscast and a transcript here: https://www.benefitstraining.co.uk/benefits-newscast/
November Benefits Newscast
StandardIn the November Benefits Newscast, David, Will and Kate discussed:
- Budget announcements including changes to debt deductions from UC and changes to the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit;
- Delays with WCAs for claimants who are in the LCW group, hoping to be moved into the LCWRA group;
- Termination of the practice to issue UC managed migration cancellation / deferral letters;
- Preventing transitional SDP from eroding when claimants move from temporary / supported housing to mainstream accommodation;
- PIP review delays / multiple extensions.
To listen to this episode, please visit their website https://www.benefitstraining.co.uk/benefits-newscast/
October Benefits Newscast
StandardThe Benefits Training Company produces a monthly newscast which features three of their benefits experts discussing the latest benefits news stories including changes to legislation, DWP announcements, relevant case law and guidance. There are links to the sources of the items discussed, and some that aren’t discussed if they think they might help.
In this month’s Benefits Newscast, David, Will and Sarah discuss extrapolating from non-PIP activities; Means-testing winter fuel payments; UC managed migration & passporting; UC managed migration current issues & resources; Carer’s allowance & averaging earnings.
You can also access previous newscasts on their website: https://www.benefitstraining.co.uk/benefits-newscast/
Law Training Sessions from the Learning and Development Team
StandardThe Learning and Development has arranged some new law training sessions in March. Please book yourself onto them using the intranet links below.
Introduction to housing law: Homelessness
https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3874
Introduction to housing law: Security of tenure
https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3876
Introduction to housing law: Social housing
https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3877
Introduction to housing law: Disrepair
https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3875
The Law and Special Educational Needs
https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3878
Introduction to Anti-Social Behaviour and the Law
https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3879
Places still available for February.
Universal Credit Overview
https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3036
Office Manager- Getting started
https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3492
Please note that the waiting list function is not available at the moment, therefore, please go to the Act pages regularly to check the availabilities. Please also note that these courses may be arranged in the future but we do not have the dates yet.
Free Online Webinar: Recap of the major benefits changes and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
StandardPolicy in Practice are presenting a free online webinar: Recap of the major benefits changes and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
10:30 – 11:30, Wednesday 8 April 2020
Registration required: http://policyinpractice.co.uk/events/
As new measures to control Coronavirus (COVID-19) are introduced Policy in Practice’s Head of Policy, Zoe Charlesworth, summarises the major changes to the welfare system that have been made.
Zoe will also share new analysis we’ve done to show the impact of the new measures and how they will help households hit by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Join this webinar to learn:
- What benefits people in different situations might get
- How to get the most support for families and households
- What the impact of the 3 main changes mean for households
Hotline numbers for Members of the UK, Scottish and Welsh Parliaments, the Northern Ireland Assembly and their staff
StandardThe Hotlines List contains contacts for government departments, government bodies and many other useful organisation. Only those who have an account on their relevant parliamentary network will be able to access the list. We can not share this list with anyone not on a parliamentary network.
These hotline numbers are for the use of MPs, MSPs, Members of the Senedd and their staff ONLY. DO NOT disclose these numbers to members of the public or to staff in other agencies or the facility may be withdrawn.
Quick links:
Hotlines List on the UK Parliament intranet
Hotlines list for the Scottish Parliament
Hotlines list for the Senedd Cymru – it is password protected and authorised staff should call the Customer Relations Team on 0300 200 6481 for access.
Here’s something which is available to the public:
CEO email addresses: http://www.ceoemail.com/
Hunter – find companies by name or by email – Hunter
IMPORTANT: Are you using the correct hotlines list?
Please don’t download or print out the whole list and keep it on your desk, as you risk using out-of-date information – as well as using up an enormous amount of paper – it’s over 200 pages long! The list is updated frequently, sometimes several times a day, so please make sure you are using the most recent version If you bookmark it, you’ll always be using the correct one.
Whilst MPs have certain Parliamentary privileges in relation to the authority to act for their constituents, this is not always extended to Members of the Scottish Parliament, or Members of the Senedd, so they must obtain written consent from their constituents. In any case, it is good practice for all representatives, including Members of the UK Parliament, to obtain written consent whenever possible, in order to prevent any potential delays.
The list is updated when there are changes and represents the latest information we have. If you are an organisation which would like to be added to the list please let us know, using the website’s Feedback Form.
We have been asked by one or two agencies to encourage MPs, MSs and their staff to be sure to use these hotline numbers and NOT the numbers available for the general public. Here’s what they say: “Some Members and their staff continue to use the public enquiry line which means we are not always able to give the prompt reply that both they and we would like to happen.”