http://www.update.org.uk/news.php Latest news from Update Scotland - Scotland's National Disability Information Service Blot Design CMS http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=665 Universal Credit - the government's new single benefit payment - is in danger of failing to deliver on its key objectives, according to a new report published  by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC). The report says that although Universal Credit will improve some aspects of the benefits system, its ability to lift families out of poverty and remove barriers to working will be severely undermined by the government's wider ....... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=665 Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=664 Some of Edinburgh's most vulnerable residents are being subjected to “enormous avoidable suffering” as a result of fitness-to-work benefits tests, prominent city GPs have said.  The controversial assessments are carried out by private firm Atos on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), to decide eligibility for Employment and 
Support Allowance (ESA). A city-based campaign group, Black Triangle, has described the tests as a “vicious attack on the fundamental human rights of disabled people”. A letter ....... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=664 Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=666 The Scottish Government proposes to amend the Adults with Incapacity (Supervision of Welfare Guardians etc. by Local Authorities)(Scotland) Regulations 2002 to alter the requirement relating to the frequency of local authority guardianship supervision visits. The closing date for comments on this consultation paper is 2 August 2013. For more information and a consultation questionnaire see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0042/00421750.pdf Source: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current.... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=666 Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=661 Cash totalling £7.45 million is to be made available through a jointly funded programme that is to be managed by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, it was announced today. The Making Advice Work (MAW) programme will support organisations helping people in Scotland facing debt and other problems stemming from benefits changes and the ongoing impact of the economic downturn. MAW will bring together £5.1 million of Scottish Government funding, as announced in January and March, with a ....... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=661 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=662 Following a successful launch in England earlier this year, Easy News – the UK’s first newspaper designed for people with learning disabilities – will be launched in Scotland on Friday 26th April. The guest of honour at the informal launch will be Dame Anne Begg, MP for Aberdeen South. The launch will take place at 1.30pm at the Inspire Café in Aberdeen. Journalists and local disabled people are invited to email Jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk if they want to ....... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=662 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=660 Five disabled people have lost their legal challenge over the government's decision to abolish the Independent Living Fund (ILF), a scheme that helps them live independently. Their lawyers asked Mr Justice Blake, sitting in London, to declare "unlawful" the consultation process that led to the proposed axing of the £320m Independent Living Fund (ILF). Dismissing the application, the judge said that many issues relating to the future funding of ILF users remained outstanding, but the consultation process had ....... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=660 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=655 The Scottish Government has published its draft statutory guidance on SDS, focusing on the values, principles legal duties and powers associated with social care assessment, support planning and review. The guidance covers adults, children, young carers and adult carers (for more information see http://www.scottishcare.org/people-as-partners/news/government-publishes-sds-guidance-and-regulations/). Consultation on draft Regulations and Statutory Guidance The consultation period is now open for comments on the: •       Draft regulations to accompany the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/04/6823. •       Draft statutory guidance to ....... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=655 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=654 North Ayrshire Council has put together a helpful video presentation explaining upcoming welfare reforms. Access the video via:- http://youtu.be/vLLEYX-y0nQ [link opens in a new window]. Although the video is aimed at North Ayrshire residents, the reforms outlined in the video apply throughout Scotland. For the contact details of local welfare rights services in your area contact UPDATE on 0131 669 1600 / info@update.org.uk. Alternatively search the SCOOP directory for: All Scottish Local Authority contact details Local Disability Advice Services Carry out ....... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=654 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=656 Doctors shouldn't have to pick up the pieces created by failure to invest properly in independent health assessments, says General Practitioners Committee. Local Medical Committees in  Glasgow and Birmingham, among others, have produced posters and letters informing patients not to ask GPs to support their appeals. In its letter the Glasgow Local Medical Committee said GPs were "not in a position to police the benefits system" and are "not resourced" to provide the service. Sources: http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/news/story/gps-reporting-significant-increase-in-workload-as-welfare-reforms-begin-to-/ http://www.gponline.com/News/article/1178595/benefit-changes-lead-surge-gp-workload/ http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/gps-advised-not-to-help-glasgow-bedroom-tax-appeals-121053n.20762022  .... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=656 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=657 An inquiry by the UK’s Work and Pensions Committee will consider the services Jobcentre Plus (JCP) offers to benefit claimants, jobseekers and employers and its relationships with external providers and stakeholders such as local authorities, in the context of recent and ongoing welfare reforms,  including the introduction of  Universal Credit, and the resulting changes to JCP staff roles. The inquiry will focus on: the future of JCP as a public employment service, including its role as ....... http://www.update.org.uk/news-detail.php?page=657 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT