2020 Consultations

Parliamentary Economic Affairs Committee Inquiry: Economics of Universal Credit

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee is conducting an Inquiry into the economics of Universal Credit.  The Committee will examine whether Universal Credit is meeting its original objectives and whether the policy assumptions reflected in its design are appropriate for different groups of claimants. It will also examine the extent to which Universal Credit meets the needs of claimants in today’s labour market and changing world of work.

The Committee is seeking answers to the following questions, with written submissions required by 29 February 2020:

  • How well has Universal Credit met its original objectives?
  • Were the original objectives and assumptions the right ones? How should they change?
  • What have been the positive and negative economic effects of Universal Credit?
  • What effect has fiscal retrenchment had on the ability of Universal Credit to successfully deliver its objectives?
  • Which claimants have benefited most from the Universal Credit reforms and which have lost out?
  • How has the world of work changed since the introduction of Universal Credit? Does Universal Credit’s design adequately reflect the reality of low-paid work?
  • If Universal Credit does not adequately reflect the lived experiences of low-paid workers, how should it be reformed?

The Institute's written submission to the Inquiry can be found here.

 

Consultation on charitable rates relief for schools and hospitals in Wales

The consultation asks for views on whether there is a need to reform charitable rates relief for schools and hospitals. The Welsh Governement's intention is to ensure that the support it provides through its rates relief schemes is targeted in a fair and consistent manner. While the consultation is focused on charitable relief for schools and hospitals, they would also like to hear views on other approaches which might help to ensure that charitable relief is targeted effectively.

A copy of the consultation documents and the response form can be found at:

https://gov.wales/charitable-rates-relief-schools-and-hospitals-wales

Comments are requested by 24 April 2020.

 

Scotland: Investing in and paying for water services: consultation

This consultation sought views on drafts of the two statutory inputs Scottish Ministers must make to the Strategic Review of Water Charges for the regulatory period 2021-2027 and key issues arising. Consultation closed on 5th April. The paper can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/investing-paying-water-services-2021-final-consultation/pages/1/

Questions are asked about

  • The appropriateness of the final draft Principles of Charging. (For households, the structure of charges should continue to be set by reference to Council Tax bands (as at April 2015) and charges should be collected with Council Tax bills by local authorities).
  • Whether the level of financial support provided for households that receive Council Tax Reduction should be increased (the Government proposes to increase the level of support provided through the Water Charges Reduction Scheme, from a 25% reduction to a 30% reduction, which will benefit around 141,000 households.
  • Whether the eligibility criteria for this financial support should be extended to include all those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction and some other form of Council Tax discount?
  • Whether the following three categories of currently exempt dwellings will be brought in to charge:
    • New dwellings for the first six months; .
    • Empty dwellings which are both unoccupied and unfurnished; and in respect of which less than 6 months have elapsed since the end of the last period of 3 months or more throughout which it was continually occupied.
    • Dwellings under repair; if unoccupied and meeting certain conditions.

The IRRV response is at: https://www.irrv.net/documents/72/council_papers/2020/July/IRRV_Response_to_Water_Charges_Consultation_website.pdf