Localism and delivery of the Welfare Reform Act The impact on local areas and working together 6 December 2018

Contents Structural changes Content of the Welfare Reform Act The definite, indirect and the possible implications on, and responsibilities of, local authorities Assessment of the: impact of welfare reform on local areas responsibilities of, and pressures on, local authorities How we can work together to mitigate and monitor

Local provision: welfare assistance Welfare Reform Act abolishes, from April 2013: - Community care grants (CCGs) - Crisis loans (CLs) for living expenses Previously centrally held Council Tax rebate budget will be added un-ring fenced to LA grant (-10%) with additional policy pressures LAs expected to make local arrangements to meet need Housing benefit changes

Managing effects of benefit changes Total benefit cap Families look to move to cheaper accommodation Risks of overcrowding, HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupation) and homelessness, increases pressure on housing and homelessness depts, children’s and adult services. Movement between areas risks employment problems, less social integration and child protection issues. Increases pressure on schools, health services.

Implications for local authorities Various levels of pressures and responsibilities: 1. Local provision of formerly national schemes 2. Managing effects of benefit changes on local communities 3. Involvement in local delivery of national Universal Credit? 4. Others – PIP (Personal Independence Payments) /DLA (Disability Living Allowance), Re-setting local entitlement criteria to discounted services

Pressures New administration of these support functions – money to existing services with high entitlement thresholds Support in kind versus support in cash No rights to review – pressure on your complaints process Not ring fenced - potential movement of money to statutory services Timing Impact if there is a local residence test

Role in delivery of Universal Credit Delivery of UC is “digital by default” but face to face and telephone access for those who need it Potential role of LA s, RSLs (Responsible Social Landlords) and third sector organisations in delivery: help access online account face to face / telephone contact budgeting support and financial capability

Top 5 challenges Social Services assessments (new proxies) and costs Empowerment or dependency, what is the balance? Individual and family capability and capacity to cope Digital by default – what does this look like? Impact? Coping with increase in demand (CABx potential 53% increase) both of advice services as well as high cost lenders and unscrupulous traders.

Solutions Accountability and transparency Clear information channels to citizens, need for real engagement and use of technology Working across teams in LAs, Job Centre Plus, with CABx and others to explain changes Common issues that joint solutions and thinking could be thought of? New partnerships for solution focused thinking