News, events and articles

Pension Credit: Why Are We Still Here?

With the news that nearly one million people are missing out on Pension Credit, Society Matters Trainer Gareth Newman unpacks why, despite repeated attempts by government, so many pensioners are not claiming this vital support…

2026 Welfare Benefit Rates

2026 Welfare Benefit Rates Poster

Shut Out: The Quiet Reality of ‘Gatekeeping’ in Britain’s Homelessness System

Adam Matthews, Social Delivery Manager at Society Matters, explores how people in housing crisis are being turned away at the very point they seek help—and what this means for frontline professionals.

The Quiet Struggle of Claiming Disability Living Allowance for Children

Adam Matthews, Social Delivery Manager at Society Matters, explores the hidden barriers facing families claiming Disability Living Allowance for children — and why a system built on statutory tests too often fails to translate the realities of disabled childhood into accessible entitlement.

The End of Section 21: What the End of “No-Fault” Evictions Really Mean for Renters and Landlords

In this month’s article, Adam Matthews, Social Delivery Manager at Society Matters, unpacks the looming abolition of Section 21 notices. From key deadlines to what replaces no-fault evictions, he explores how the reforms will reshape the relationship between renters and landlords in England.

The Incoming Cuts to Universal Credit: A Line in the Sand for Sick and Disabled Claimants

In this month’s article Social Delivery Manager, Adam Matthews, talks about his concerns about the upcoming cuts and to Universal Credit for some people with disabilities and long term health conditions from next April.

A Budget with a Conscience: Why the End of the Two-Child Rule Matters

In this issue, Social Delivery Manager Adam Matthews breaks down what the end of the two-child limit means for families and looks at the other major Budget changes shaping the financial outlook for people across the country. 

Access to Work: What You Need to Know – Free Recorded Webinar

Couldn’t join our live session? No problem. The full replay of Access to Work: What You Need to Know is now available for you to watch at your convenience. Whether you are catching up or joining for the first time, we encourage you to view the session and stay up to date with the latest updates.

Access to Work: Balancing Support and Sustainability

In this month’s article, Society Matters Trainer Gareth Newman explores the impact of

Access to Work and the changing nature of support in light of prospective changes.

The Real Barriers to Benefits: Why Millions Go Without Support They Deserve

In this thought-provoking article, Adam Matthews, Social Delivery Manager at Society Matters CIC, challenges the persistent political myth that benefits are “too easy to claim.” Drawing on new evidence that more than £24 billion in support will go unclaimed in 2025–26, Adam highlights the real barriers people face when trying to access the help they are entitled to.

Breaking the Cycle: Why Prison Leavers Face Mounting Barriers to Stability

In this month’s article, Social Delivery Manager Adam Matthews explores the issues prisoners face that prevent them reintegrating into society…

In Case You Missed It: Changes to the Immigration System WEBINAR

Missed our live session? Watch the full replay of Changes to the Immigration System and stay informed on the latest developments affecting immigration in the UK.

Our upcoming webinar on ‘Navigating the July 2025 Visa Shake-Up’

Are you ready for the UK’s latest immigration changes?

Join us for a practical, friendly, and informative webinar hosted by Society Matters CIC, designed to help you make sense of the sweeping immigration reforms introduced in July 2025.

What’s changing in UK Housing policy? WEBINAR

Across the UK, housing remains one of the most pressing social challenges. Millions of people live in homes that fall short of basic standards – whether due to poor conditions, affordability issues, or limited availability. The impact of inadequate housing reaches far beyond bricks and mortar, affecting health, employment, education, and overall wellbeing.

Upskill Your Team This August – Save 10% on All Training Courses

At Society Matters CIC, we believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting change. Whether you’re working on the frontlines of social justice or supporting vulnerable communities behind the scenes, having the right training can make all the difference.

That’s why we’re offering an exclusive 10% discount on all training courses booked throughout August – giving you the perfect opportunity to invest in your team’s development.

Free School Meals, But At What Cost?

In this month’s article, Society Matters Trainer Gareth Newman sets out the impact of the government’s announcement of the expansion of Free School Meals to all families on Universal Credit and what it means for the government’s upcoming child poverty strategy…

The Benefits reforms debate

Society Matters’ Social Delivery Manager Adam Matthews addresses the potential upcoming welfare cuts and why the government’s proposal has sparked significant political debate.

In recent weeks, a significant revolt has erupted within the UK Labour Party regarding proposed welfare benefit cuts, specifically targeting entitlements to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Universal Credit. This internal dissent underscores broader debates about social welfare, government austerity policies, and the political landscape’s evolving nature.

Work Coaches and employment support reforms for disabled people

Where do Work Coaches fit in the government’s employment support reforms for disabled people?

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, the government outlined additional support available from work coaches to support people into employment. Society Matters Trainer, Gareth Newman, takes us through those changes examines whether there are enough work coaches themselves to rise to the challenge?

The Costs of Disability

With the government announcing fundamental reforms of benefits meant to support those with disabilities, chiefly Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) on Universal Credit, Society Matters Trainer Gareth Newman takes us through the costs of having a disability, and what these changes will mean for people facing those additional costs.

The Welfare Benefit System

We’ve refreshed, updated and renamed our “Get to Grips with Understanding Welfare Benefits” course as “The Welfare Benefit System”—a name that better reflects its comprehensive approach to navigating the entire welfare benefits system. The new course has this month been CPD accredited to assure our usual high quality learning experience.

Rushing Reform: The Risks of the DWP’s ESA to Universal Credit Migration

We have already seen significant issues with people struggling to navigate the managed migration process from other legacy benefits. 28% of Tax Credit ‘only’ claimants that were sent a Migration Notice, didn’t make a new claim for Universal Credit within the deadline. This resulted in claimants losing £300 a month on average, a significant amount which can have devasting effects on households already struggling with the “cost of living”.

Navigating the final stages of Universal Credit transition

Where do we currently stand? Well, as of January 2025, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is in the final stages of transitioning all claimants from legacy benefits to Universal Credit (UC), a process known as managed migration. This initiative aims to consolidate multiple benefits into a single, streamlined payment system which is Universal Credit. Citizens Advice has seen a huge spike in people needing support and being anxious about the transition across the UK.

Ofgem’s Proposed Changes to the Energy Sector

The effects of the energy crisis of the last few years continue to be felt up and down the UK and while energy prices have stabilised, people still face energy bills significantly higher than what they were previously.

What does the Budget mean for Crisis Support?

The Budget was the government’s chance to begin to fix these issues, but how effective is it when it comes to helping people needing what the Society Matters group call ‘crisis support?’

Our reaction to the 2024 Autumn Budget

Let’s begin with the positives. The Chancellor announced a 77p increase in the National minimum wage, which will take effect in April 2025.

New opportunity as Social Delivery Manager with Society Matters – apply by Friday!

We’d like to share an opportunity to become Social Delivery Manager with Society Matters. There is only a short turn around for this ad, and you have until 1st November to respond!

The cost of Caring: The reality of poverty among unpaid carers

With debate continuing on around the scandal of the DWP chasing carers, a subset of the population significantly more likely to live in poverty, for sometimes thousands of pounds in overpayment of Carers Allowance, Society Matters wanted to take some time to examine ‘the people behind the process,’ unpack some shocking statistics and think about the lived experiences of those carers who often exist at the fringes of society.

Spotlight on prisoners – What is the state of the prison estate?

What happens to a person’s benefit entitlement in prison, and what impact might this have on the families a prisoner leaves behind?

Our breakdown of The King’s Speech 2024

With the recent State Opening of Parliament, this heralds the first term of a new Labour government since 1997. The King’s Speech outlined the legislative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary year and set out the new government’s priorities. Society Matters Trainer Gareth Newman takes us through what the announcements could mean for us all in practice.

Benefits suspensions – Caught in the net

‘Benefit suspensions in cases of fraud do not affect many of the clients we deal with day to day, but we know that where they are affected, they are acutely vulnerable to hardship.’

Managed Migration – What claimants need to know before the Dec 24 deadline

‘By September 2024, the DWP will be contacting 440,000 households that claim tax credits and receive income support, income-based jobseekers Allowance and Housing benefit.’

Our reaction to the 2024 Spring Budget

“Whilst some measures are certainly welcome, it’s difficult to escape the view that this represents a ‘tinkering at the edges’ when more direct intervention is needed.”

No-fault evictions – what’s the plan?

Getting it right, Social Landlords and Awaab’s Law

The Human Cost of the UK’s Immigration Policies: What do the new UK visa rules mean for multinational families?

Our trainer Gareth explores the potential consequences of the government’s proposed new visa rules and the human and financial costs in this article on ‘The Human Cost of the UK’s Immigration Policies.

Boosting Social Prescribing Effectiveness: Training on UK Benefits

Society Matters, Programme Director, Phill Capewell talks about the importance of boosting social prescribing effectiveness and the crucial role Social prescribers play across the UK.