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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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