Social Policy Digest.

The article presents information on various social policies in Great Britain. The government is consulting on criteria for regional European Union aid. A task force will examine the denial of financial services to low-income people. All payments from creditor insurance policies will be disregarded for means-tested benefits, if the income is used for the debt. The National Audit Office called for external checks on the Benefits Agency's performance. The pension provision group said the state has an inescapable role in ensuring pensions for people on low incomes. Another official group recommended government funding for pensions education. A European directive safeguards occupational pension rights for people working in different member states. A ministerial group on better government for older people' was created. Some independent financial advisers were disciplined in connection with the pensions mis-selling review. Two reports discuss issues arid options in reforming housing benefit. Benefit cuts for young people are reportedly causing difficulties for rent deposit schemes.