15/06/2010 – Press Release- New version of Lasa’s Rightsnet launched!
A new version of rightsnet - Lasa's welfare rights website - will launch on 16 June. The updated version will include a free ‘news service' covering four new areas of social welfare law: debt, housing, employment and community care
Andy Gregg, CEO of Lasa said: ‘I am pleased to announce the exciting changes we're making to our rightsnet website. We are launching it in response to a recent survey where our members said that they would like us to provide information in other areas of social welfare law. Current users will not only get the excellent value for money service they are used to, but will now also receive daily news updates in debt, housing, employment and community care.
‘We aim to add value to the current service and support advisers who are dealing with clients with ever more complex issues. Users will also be able to tailor updates according to their interests. We hope the changes will make rightsnet even more useful to advisers in their work, and welcome any feedback on the service.'
Rightsnet is currently the UK's market leader, and the most up to date welfare benefits and tax credit information on the web. It gets over 35 million hits a year, and is used by over 4,000 organisations, including citizens advice bureaux, law centres, local authorities, the DWP and the BBC.
A recent Lasa survey of rightsnet users found that more than 80% use rightsnet regularly every week, with the majority of these visiting the site daily. 95.5% reported that their knowledge of the welfare benefits and tax credits system had improved as a result of using rightsnet. 76% reported an improvement in their confidence. 81% thought the quality of their advice work had improved. 80.5% said rightsnet had enabled them to improve the financial position of their clients.
The new rightsnet site will also provide current users and other advice workers with peer support through dedicated discussion forums in welfare rights, and also across debt, housing, employment and community care. The rightsnet site can be found at www.rightsnet.org.uk
Ends
Note to editors
Andy Gregg,
Lasa CEO is available for interview.
For more information
please contact:
Lindi Maqhubela
Lasa
- Policy and Communications Manager
Direct tel: 020 7426
4484
Email:
lmaqhubela@lasa.org.uk
1. Rightsnet survey by Lasa was conducted in March 2010. A wide variety of organisations (376) responded.
2. Lasa was established in 1984 and is a second tier development and resource agency providing a range of services to the voluntary advice and legal services sector. Lasa is recognised centre of excellence and innovation for advice related ICT developments, for support and training on welfare benefits law, and for policy campaigning and development work.
3. Lasa's welfare benefit support services include training, telephone advice, policy campaigning and development work, and the rightsnet website.