Egle Dagilyte

United Kingdom Welfare Benefit Reforms in 2013–2014: Roma between the Pillory, the Precipice and the Slippery Slope

Abstract The 2013–2014 welfare benefits reform, which continues to undergo post-2015 election changes today, has introduced a dramatic reduction of welfare rights for European Union (EU) citizens. A particularly vulnerable and often discriminated group of these migrants are the Roma, who today come to the UK as economic migrants. This article presents preliminary findings from an on-going research study that investigates the impact these changes had on UK-resident EU/European Economic Area (EEA) Roma migrants and their families, in particular focusing on the Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit. The findings indicate that claiming these welfare benefits can be a daunting process for this migrant group, and refusal of a claim may raise further investigations about their right to reside. This, we observe, is the result of institutional anti-immigration agenda that trickles down from the political elite to administrative bodies assessing welfare benefits claims.

Professionalism in higher education: important not only for lawyers

This article considers how, in light of the changing legal profession and higher education, academia could address professionalism training. The authors put forward an argument that, if professionalism is to be understood as a set of skills, values and attitudes required for any lawyer, it is now a good time to consider how these could be taught and assessed in law and non-law degrees. The formation of professional values and attitudes is a long process that continues throughout a person’s life. The earlier students are exposed to professional values, attitudes and skills, the better the quality of service these future lawyers will provide to the public. Taking into account the Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) recommendations, the article suggests some practical ways as to how professionalism could be developed in higher education.