Benefits
Costly housing crisis support crowds out prevention
Jon Rowney says financial pressure on councils caused by the lack of affordable homes risks becoming overwhelming. 'A more outcomes-focused and systemic approach is needed.'
Blow to council hopes for cash boost
The prospect of extra cash for councils has faded further with the latest public finance figures showing the UK borrowed more than expected last month.
Housing pressures threaten 'end of local government'
A call has been made for Government action on temporary housing costs that threaten to swallow up district council budgets.
Millions would need to double income to escape poverty, report warns
Six million people in the UK would need to more than double their income just to escape poverty, a new report has found.
Autumn Statement: Housing benefits unfrozen
Housing benefits for private renters are set to increase as Jeremy Hunt confirms the uprating of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in autumn statement.
How to unlock £19bn in benefits
As councils grapple with the cost of living crisis, Deven Ghelani explains how they can use data to help residents access benefits and ease the pressure.
Seven in 10 councils struggling amid cost of living crisis
Seven in 10 councils are struggling to support people hit by the cost of living crisis, according to new research published today.
Can we refocus on public service reform now?
Part of the challenge for governments in tackling poverty is to enable everyone to work together to do their bit - and many of the levers needed to support a family or individual out of poverty sit at the local level, says Andrew Laird.
Rent arrears surge
Four in five council landlords have reported growing rent arrears over the past year, according to the findings of a new survey.
Building a post-merger Bucks
Clive Jones describes how merging five councils into one unitary authority led to a streamlined revenues and benefits service with potential savings of around £725,000 and improved services
Call for Government to share more data with councils
Councils are struggling to reach households hit by the cost of living crisis due to the Government’s failure to share its data with local authorities.
Making a modern digital council
Philip Glanville and Rob Miller set out how Hackney LBC is playing a key role in progressing digital local government, including through cross-sector collaborations and an ambitious apprenticeship programme.
Survey throws doubt on prompt energy bill help
Seven in 10 councils do not expect to be able to dole out a key winter energy bill grant until the second half of March.
Council calls for housing benefits funding review
Councillors at Telford & Wrekin Council have called for an urgent review of the Government’s funding provision for housing benefits and the way they are issued to local authorities.
AI concerns soothed by watchdog
An inquiry into councils’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) by the data protection regulator has found it is lawful and non-discriminatory.
Action is top priority to end rough sleeping
Writing for World Homelessness Day, Sir Bob Kerslake says the new Government wants growth, but it cannot sacrifice the most vulnerable in society to achieve it.
Pressure grows to raise housing benefits
Calls have been made to raise Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to prevent a surge in homelessness.
Supporting residents through the toughest of times
As the UK inflation rate hits 10.1%, Cllr John Izett sets out how Basingstoke & Deane BC is stepping up to help the most vulnerable residents during the cost of living crisis.
Call to simplify devolved-benefits in Wales
A new report has called on the Welsh Government to simplify the benefit system to help more people during the cost of living crisis.
Councils apologise for rebate errors
Swale BC has apologised for taking money out of the accounts of direct debit holders while Leeds City Council mistakenly sent out two payments to thousands of households.