Tom Royston
@tomroyston.bsky.social
Social security law and its neighbours. Barrister at Garden Court North Chambers
https://gcnchambers.co.uk/barrister/tom-royston/
https://gcnchambers.co.uk/barrister/tom-royston/
Reposted by Tom Royston
In AP v SSWP [2025] UKUT 330 (AAC) UT comments on common practice of DWP decision makers in Universal Credit of stating a claimant is not entitled to seek mandatory reconsideration of a decision because it is "policy" (typically that happens when challenge involves interpretation of a rule) (1 of 5)
November 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
In AP v SSWP [2025] UKUT 330 (AAC) UT comments on common practice of DWP decision makers in Universal Credit of stating a claimant is not entitled to seek mandatory reconsideration of a decision because it is "policy" (typically that happens when challenge involves interpretation of a rule) (1 of 5)
Reposted by Tom Royston
The Upper Tribunal has clarified jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal in cases involving late applications for revision & appeals following “any time” grounds in TR and GD v SSWP [2025] UKUT 332 (AAC). Paul Skinner was involved in the case.
More: ow.ly/JgBf50XjzLa
More: ow.ly/JgBf50XjzLa
October 29, 2025 at 9:38 AM
The Upper Tribunal has clarified jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal in cases involving late applications for revision & appeals following “any time” grounds in TR and GD v SSWP [2025] UKUT 332 (AAC). Paul Skinner was involved in the case.
More: ow.ly/JgBf50XjzLa
More: ow.ly/JgBf50XjzLa
Reposted by Tom Royston
In the Upper Tribunal next week, GCN's @tomroyston.bsky.social is representing ex-England football captain David Watson in his legal fight for Alzheimer's and CTE to be recognised as industrial diseases.
www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
Ex-England captain's legal fight for toll on his health
Former England football captain David Watson is fighting to have his neurological condition recognised as the result of head injuries during his career.
www.leighday.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
In the Upper Tribunal next week, GCN's @tomroyston.bsky.social is representing ex-England football captain David Watson in his legal fight for Alzheimer's and CTE to be recognised as industrial diseases.
www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
Reposted by Tom Royston
Garden Court North's @tomroyston.bsky.social represented the two women, who earlier today won their High Court judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful and discriminatory tax reduction scheme, which left them and many other residents with massive bills.
gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
Trafford Council’s tax reduction scheme quashed following High Court legal challenge - Garden Court North Chambers
Two women have today won their judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful tax reduction scheme in the High Court.
gcnchambers.co.uk
September 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Garden Court North's @tomroyston.bsky.social represented the two women, who earlier today won their High Court judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful and discriminatory tax reduction scheme, which left them and many other residents with massive bills.
gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
Really important High Court decision today, quashing a local authority’s council tax reduction scheme. The judgment contains many lessons about these schemes. Trafford's scheme was ultra vires, irrational, and unlawfully discriminatory, and breached the PSED @rightsnet.org.uk @nawra.bsky.social
![Judgment header of R (LL and AU) v Trafford Council [2025] EWHC 2380 (Admin) (19 September 2025)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5zcqf5ziw3b5qbd7znpzfczs/bafkreianq64gn3q42rev45kktyqbjy54tw3iommvspxux52sgmx2wehbdy@jpeg)
September 19, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Really important High Court decision today, quashing a local authority’s council tax reduction scheme. The judgment contains many lessons about these schemes. Trafford's scheme was ultra vires, irrational, and unlawfully discriminatory, and breached the PSED @rightsnet.org.uk @nawra.bsky.social
The Court of Appeal gave permission to appeal in this case on 15 September 2025. Full hearing probably later this year/early next.
High Court today dismisses judicial review challenge to operation of the 'rape clause' in the two child limit. Exempting non-consensually conceived children if they are born third or later, but not if they are born first or second, is lawful. Claimants seeking permission to appeal.
September 16, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The Court of Appeal gave permission to appeal in this case on 15 September 2025. Full hearing probably later this year/early next.
For the latest news and ideas from the front line in social welfare law, Garden Court North Chambers is now on Bluesky @gcnchambers.bsky.social - follow now, while stocks last!
September 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
For the latest news and ideas from the front line in social welfare law, Garden Court North Chambers is now on Bluesky @gcnchambers.bsky.social - follow now, while stocks last!
High Court today dismisses judicial review challenge to operation of the 'rape clause' in the two child limit. Exempting non-consensually conceived children if they are born third or later, but not if they are born first or second, is lawful. Claimants seeking permission to appeal.
July 18, 2025 at 12:13 PM
High Court today dismisses judicial review challenge to operation of the 'rape clause' in the two child limit. Exempting non-consensually conceived children if they are born third or later, but not if they are born first or second, is lawful. Claimants seeking permission to appeal.
Proposed disability benefit changes would decrease number of people exempted from benefit cap. End of two child limit, if it happens (+any annual benefit rate increases) would increase number affected by benefit cap. In combination, could make benefit cap a *lot* more significant in years to come
Benefit cap could see countless PIP claimants left homeless after cuts, but DWP has no idea how many www.disabilitynewsservice.com/benefit-cap-... via @johnpring.bsky.social
Benefit cap could see countless PIP claimants left homeless after cuts, but DWP has no idea how many
Thousands of disabled people could lose out on thousands of pounds a year in housing benefit – and face eviction – because of the government’s cuts to disability benefits, but ministers have no ide…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
May 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Proposed disability benefit changes would decrease number of people exempted from benefit cap. End of two child limit, if it happens (+any annual benefit rate increases) would increase number affected by benefit cap. In combination, could make benefit cap a *lot* more significant in years to come
Reposted by Tom Royston
We're in the Court of Appeal today - defending EU citizens' rights to live with dignity.
👩🏾⚖️ This case is about achieving equal welfare access for people with pre-settled status - with no unfair barriers.
www.crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citi...
👩🏾⚖️ This case is about achieving equal welfare access for people with pre-settled status - with no unfair barriers.
www.crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citi...
Help us defend EU citizens’ rights to live with dignity
the3million is the largest grassroots organisation for EU citizens in the UK, formed after the 2016 referendum to protect the rights of people who have made the UK their home.
www.crowdjustice.com
May 14, 2025 at 8:21 AM
We're in the Court of Appeal today - defending EU citizens' rights to live with dignity.
👩🏾⚖️ This case is about achieving equal welfare access for people with pre-settled status - with no unfair barriers.
www.crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citi...
👩🏾⚖️ This case is about achieving equal welfare access for people with pre-settled status - with no unfair barriers.
www.crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citi...
Reposted by Tom Royston
Are the EU free movement rules wildly out of step with the new realities of work? My new book, the MARKET CITIZENSHIP ILLUSION answers this by looking at the law in action – and it is available now to *everyone for free*! www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do...
🧵on key arguments... (1/10)
🧵on key arguments... (1/10)
May 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Are the EU free movement rules wildly out of step with the new realities of work? My new book, the MARKET CITIZENSHIP ILLUSION answers this by looking at the law in action – and it is available now to *everyone for free*! www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do...
🧵on key arguments... (1/10)
🧵on key arguments... (1/10)
Reposted by Tom Royston
Come and join us for our 50th anniversary summit and celebration. Link below.
May 2, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Come and join us for our 50th anniversary summit and celebration. Link below.
Reposted by Tom Royston
DWP figures in response to FOI request indicate 87% of claimants currently receiving PIP daily living component at standard rate, and 13% of claimants receiving enhanced rate are likely to lose their entitlement if “score 4” changes go ahead.
That means virtually everyone on standard rate PIP.
That means virtually everyone on standard rate PIP.
I have submitted an FOI request to try and find out how many of those currently receiving PIP (personal independence payment) may lose their entitlement under the new rules:
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pers...
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pers...
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Work and Pensions
Please could you provide the following information:
The number of claimants currently in receipt of PIP daily living component at:
a) The standard rate
b) The enhanced rate
For each of the above, pl...
www.whatdotheyknow.com
April 16, 2025 at 11:02 AM
DWP figures in response to FOI request indicate 87% of claimants currently receiving PIP daily living component at standard rate, and 13% of claimants receiving enhanced rate are likely to lose their entitlement if “score 4” changes go ahead.
That means virtually everyone on standard rate PIP.
That means virtually everyone on standard rate PIP.
Reposted by Tom Royston
Admin Court today: claimant challenges the DWP’s refusal to pay Universal Credit using common law powers, after supporting his child’s cancer treatment abroad. Raises key questions about state discretion & welfare.
@jogilvieharris.bsky.social is instructed by North West London Law Centres.
@jogilvieharris.bsky.social is instructed by North West London Law Centres.
April 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Admin Court today: claimant challenges the DWP’s refusal to pay Universal Credit using common law powers, after supporting his child’s cancer treatment abroad. Raises key questions about state discretion & welfare.
@jogilvieharris.bsky.social is instructed by North West London Law Centres.
@jogilvieharris.bsky.social is instructed by North West London Law Centres.
Reposted by Tom Royston
Amending regs to the legal aid Remuneration regs now out and take effect from 1 May 2025. Reintroduces an escape fee for Welfare Benefits legal aid casework. Very pleased to have played a role in bringing about this change.
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/41...
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/41...
www.legislation.gov.uk
April 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Amending regs to the legal aid Remuneration regs now out and take effect from 1 May 2025. Reintroduces an escape fee for Welfare Benefits legal aid casework. Very pleased to have played a role in bringing about this change.
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/41...
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/41...
Extraordinary use of statistics. DWP might as well claim their proposals will massively improve child mortality because they have decided not to proceed with Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. The ‘previous Conservative plans’ are not in effect, are not law, and the Conservatives are not in power!
In summary: The 250k net poverty rise in impact assessment is extra to an assumed 150k rise that previous Conservative plans would have created - even they never happened. But DWP has assumed that increase was already on the books and added to it. Real poverty impact is 400k. 7/7
March 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Extraordinary use of statistics. DWP might as well claim their proposals will massively improve child mortality because they have decided not to proceed with Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. The ‘previous Conservative plans’ are not in effect, are not law, and the Conservatives are not in power!
Reposted by Tom Royston
How many UK Supreme Court judges do you think ever acted as lawyers for a claimant in a social security case? ZERO. *Extremely nervous* to announce this rather bolshy ('somewhat contentious' and 'robust in tone') piece in the JSSL. I argue there is a 'professional diversity deficit' in UKSC, AND...
March 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
How many UK Supreme Court judges do you think ever acted as lawyers for a claimant in a social security case? ZERO. *Extremely nervous* to announce this rather bolshy ('somewhat contentious' and 'robust in tone') piece in the JSSL. I argue there is a 'professional diversity deficit' in UKSC, AND...
The other way to look at the proposal to time limit all working age contributory benefit is that it would not just weaken but *completely abolish* what has for many years been (after retirement pension) the second most important part of the state contributory benefit system.
This has, understandably, been overshadowed by far bigger developments
But this is interesting because, barring pensions, contributory social insurance has only ever been weakened in my years of watching these things. I’m not sure it’s ever been strengthened since the late 60s
But this is interesting because, barring pensions, contributory social insurance has only ever been weakened in my years of watching these things. I’m not sure it’s ever been strengthened since the late 60s
Excellent to hear Liz Kendall announce a consultation on time-limited contributory based benefits, paid at higher rates
Taking up proposals I developed with colleagues at the Fabians
fabians.org.uk/publication/...
Taking up proposals I developed with colleagues at the Fabians
fabians.org.uk/publication/...
March 20, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The other way to look at the proposal to time limit all working age contributory benefit is that it would not just weaken but *completely abolish* what has for many years been (after retirement pension) the second most important part of the state contributory benefit system.
Reposted by Tom Royston
One of the joys of the LALYs is being able to celebrate coalface legal aid lawyers who have never previously received (or sought) recognition. If you know one of those, do make a nomination (deadline 22 April). All the info you need is here: lapg.co.uk/wp-content/u...
February 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
One of the joys of the LALYs is being able to celebrate coalface legal aid lawyers who have never previously received (or sought) recognition. If you know one of those, do make a nomination (deadline 22 April). All the info you need is here: lapg.co.uk/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Tom Royston
Homelessness Code of Guidance updated to reflect the Court of Appeal’s judgment in AT
More: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61425
More: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61425
February 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Homelessness Code of Guidance updated to reflect the Court of Appeal’s judgment in AT
More: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61425
More: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61425
The article below reports DWP's policy response to the R (Roberts) v SSWP case from earlier this year.
It looks like DWP now accept they will need to ask claimants' views about deductions before making them
It looks like DWP now accept they will need to ask claimants' views about deductions before making them
February 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The article below reports DWP's policy response to the R (Roberts) v SSWP case from earlier this year.
It looks like DWP now accept they will need to ask claimants' views about deductions before making them
It looks like DWP now accept they will need to ask claimants' views about deductions before making them
Reposted by Tom Royston
Great result by @cpaguk.bsky.social in the Upper Tribunal on universal credit transitional protection
More info: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61249
More info: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61249
February 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Great result by @cpaguk.bsky.social in the Upper Tribunal on universal credit transitional protection
More info: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61249
More info: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61249
Reposted by Tom Royston
DWP to SSAC: ‘Given the [Clifford] judgment, the draft regulations which would have delivered the WCA
descriptor changes will be withdrawn by the Department. Therefore… we
consider this to be the conclusion of SSAC’s scrutiny of the draft regulations.’
descriptor changes will be withdrawn by the Department. Therefore… we
consider this to be the conclusion of SSAC’s scrutiny of the draft regulations.’
Work Capability Assessment draft regulations: letter to Dr Stephen Brien
Correspondence from the DWP to SSAC's Chair following the judgment in the judicial review into the lawfulness of the consultation on the Work Capability Assessment descriptor changes.
www.gov.uk
February 4, 2025 at 11:25 AM
DWP to SSAC: ‘Given the [Clifford] judgment, the draft regulations which would have delivered the WCA
descriptor changes will be withdrawn by the Department. Therefore… we
consider this to be the conclusion of SSAC’s scrutiny of the draft regulations.’
descriptor changes will be withdrawn by the Department. Therefore… we
consider this to be the conclusion of SSAC’s scrutiny of the draft regulations.’
Reposted by Tom Royston
Update on judicial review brought by Osbornes challenging legal aid rates for Welfare Benefits legal help work. We have been successful!
Just posting to share news that Osbornes has today issued a judicial review against the Lord Chancellor on the issue of fees for Welfare Benefits work. As things presently stand only appeals at the Upper Tribunal and above are in scope for legal aid.
January 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Update on judicial review brought by Osbornes challenging legal aid rates for Welfare Benefits legal help work. We have been successful!
Reposted by Tom Royston
My @guardian story: DWP "Computer says Yes" program that allows landlord to deduct hundreds of pounds from tenants’ universal credit without checking with the claimant ruled illegal by the courts. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
DWP program that automatically approves landlord benefit deduction requests ruled unlawful
Tenant challenged procedure after £500 docked from universal credit payment at landlord’s request, with whom he was in dispute over repairs
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2025 at 10:39 AM
My @guardian story: DWP "Computer says Yes" program that allows landlord to deduct hundreds of pounds from tenants’ universal credit without checking with the claimant ruled illegal by the courts. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...