Job Seekers Allowance

Changes to the state pension that will hit hundreds of thousands of women aged 55-65 were debated in Parliament for the second time this year on Monday. But the Government once again refused to offer extra measures to help those affected, with a minister instead suggesting that women who lose out can claim other benefits such as jobseeker's allowance.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate of inflation fell to -0.1% in the year to September, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has today announced. But this means the basic state pension will rise by at least 2.5% next April.

If you're aged over 74, you could be entitled to backdated cash from the Government to help cover the cost of energy bills. But you need to be quick, as you'll need to post your claim form by Saturday at the very latest.

Unemployment has fallen to 7.1% – within touching distance of the figure which will be used to decide whether interest rates will increase, official data has revealed.

Disability and carers' benefits and the additional state pension will rise by 2.7% in April 2014 – but other benefits will see just a 1% rise, Chancellor George Osborne said in today's Autumn Statement.

Freezing temperatures have triggered the first cold weather payments in Britain this winter.

More than 800,000 jobseekers will get free bus travel in January to help them find jobs.

Unemployment fell to its lowest level since spring, official figures show today.

A number of benefits are likely to rise by just 2.2% in April, following the publication of today's inflation figures.