Welcome to the new Touchbase

This is the first edition since the election of a new Government which has been busy setting out its priorities and challenges for the next five years.

A challenge for us at DWP is how we keep a wide range of charities, advice providers, employers and partners up-to-date with topical news and information. Just before the election we ran a survey and in response to that feedback we are making this newsletter more topical and concise, include more cross-government news on employment and work, and provide you with news on DWP policy and services.  As a result, we have redesigned Touchbase and combined it with the DWP Stakeholder Bulletin, to bring you this new format with links to places where you can find out more.

As always, we welcome your feedback so please send us your comments and thoughts about the new Touchbase. corporate.stakeholders@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
 

Fit for Work rolling out nationwide

GPs are now able to refer patients who have been, or are likely to be, off work sick for four weeks or more. This means employers may start to receive ‘Return to Work Plans’ for their employees. These are designed to help both employees who are off sick return to work, and employers to manage the impact of sickness absence on their business. They also provide evidence of sickness for pay purposes, replacing the need for a fit note.

Employer referrals have now gone live in Scotland. To find out more visit: www.fitforworkscotland.scot

Employers in England and Wales will be able to refer their employees to Fit for Work from the autumn.

To find out more visit: www.fitforwork.org/employer
 

Give your business the recognition it deserves

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise is a prestigious UK business award that recognises outstanding UK businesses. Previous winners said that winning an award has given them global recognition, added commercial value and an edge over the competition.

If you are successful, you will be invited by Royal appointment to a Buckingham Palace reception hosted by Her Majesty the Queen.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2016 is now open and the deadline for entries is midnight on 30 September.

To find out more and apply visit: Queen's Awards for Enterprise
 

Universal Jobmatch update

Improvements to this online resource for jobseekers and employers went live on 27 June.

Changes will include:

• Reducing the default time limit for expiry of vacancy postings from 60 to 30 days.
• Removal of the ‘Company Confidential’ option, increasing transparency for jobseekers.
• The inclusion of a link to SAFERjobs, a site set up by the Metropolitan Police providing free, expert advice to job seekers during (and after) the job search in order to prevent the growing issue of job scams.

To find out more visit:

Find a job with Universal Jobmatch

Fill a vacancy with Universal Jobmatch

SAFERjobs
 

Changes to DWP postal addresses

DWP is modernising how it receives and processes post which will result in new postal addresses for more than 300 offices. This includes the Attendance Allowance Unit and Carer’s Allowance Unit (Carer’s claims included).

All external partners, including local authorities, should use the new Business Reply Envelopes which can be obtained in the usual way.

To find out more and to see a list of new addresses visit: New DWP postal addresses
 

Are you renewing annual tax credits with HMRC?

This year anyone who receives tax credits can renew their claim online at any time, day or night, and from any device. HMRC’s helplines will be exceptionally busy as people call to renew their tax credits in the run up to the 31 July 2015 deadline. HMRC is therefore urging customers to renew their claim online, at a time that suits them. Advisors are asked to remind people to renew their claim as soon as possible before 31 July 2015.

To find out how to renew your tax credits visit: Renewing your tax credits claim
 

Claiming Maternity Allowance?

Payment of Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) for 6 April 2015 onwards will be collected as part of the Self Assessment process from April 2016 by HMRC.

As a result, Maternity Allowance claims from self-employed women expecting a baby on or after 12 July 2015 may have insufficient NICs to be entitled to standard rate Maternity Allowance on the date of their claim.

However, claimants satisfying the work test will receive a lower rate and have the option of paying sufficient Class 2 NICs, to be entitled to the standard rate.

For more information visit: Maternity Allowance overview