Welfare
Call for remote meetings after COVID controversy
Calls for new powers enabling councils to hold remote and hybrid meetings have been renewed after a meeting was aborted over COVID concerns.
Councils faced pandemic fraud surge
Local authorities have faced a surge in attempted fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have reported.
Districts deserved better planning from the centre on UKSPF cash
It will be interesting to see how councils can produce a complementary approach to local investments when they still don’t have the prospectus for the UKSPF or funding allocations, says Ian Miller.
Ukraine crisis is 'forging stronger bonds'
The crisis in Ukraine is seeing countries around the world unite in support of its people, writes Abdool Kara. We can and must do everything possible to support staff who are affected by the conflict.
Councils hit by fund's admin burden
Frustrated councils are bracing themselves for an administration headache as they work out how to dole out the Government’s £500m household support fund.
Pressure rises on Gove to build social housing
Pressure was this week mounting on new housing secretary Michael Gove to ramp up the building of social homes amid predictions of growing homelessness.
District hopes of controlling £500m fund dashed
District hopes to be put in control of handing out the new £500m household support fund have been dashed after a ‘bizarre’ government decision.
Chancellor faces tough call on on care, pensions and welfare
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will need to make a series of tough choices this autumn, the Resolution Foundation think-tank has said.
The value of putting local welfare cash provision first
Gareth Evans looks at the evidence around cash first approaches to local welfare provision and asks if it delivers better outcomes for beneficiaries and greater ‘bang for scarce council bucks’.
Keep up COVID funding to end homelessness, says Kerslake
Ending homelessness is possible, but the Government needs to keep up funding or face a post-pandemic surge, an independent commission concluded.
London's 'triple whammy' risks homelessness crisis
London Councils has warned there is a ‘triple whammy’ of impending risks that threaten to push homelessness to record levels this summer.
Pre-paid card firms supplying councils acted ‘as a cartel,’ regulator says
Three out of five firms that issue councils with pre-paid cards have admitted breaching competition rules and agreed to pay penalties totalling more than £32m.
Winning on social housing in Hull
The combination of austerity and welfare reform led Hull City Council to rethink its support for its social housing tenants. The end result has been an award winning service. The MJ reports.
Helping families through the tough times
Local welfare assistance schemes are crucial to delivering the Government’s package of winter support to families with children during the pandemic, says Toby North. Some councils, who previously did not have one in place, have set them up, he adds.
Councils to feed children during half-term
Local authorities have been told to fund free meals to schoolchildren during half-term week next month, prompting an outcry from the sector.
Counties will continue to deliver
Director of the County Councils Network Simon Edwards says the next few months will be 'no easier for our communities, but local government has already proven the importance of locally led, rather than centrally imposed, solutions'.
'Wide-ranging' government care review 'very imminent'
Children’s minister Vicky Ford has promised that the long-awaited review into the care system is ‘very imminent’ and will be ‘wide ranging’.
A radical case for change to employment support
Let local areas – not the Department for Work and Pensions – provide better support for people facing barriers to work, argues Pawda Tjoa
£63m hardship fund was not meant to pay for free school meals
The £63m ‘hardship fund’ ministers claim should be enough for councils to help hungry schoolkids was not designed to pay for free school meals.
Joint call for increased funding to help rough sleepers
A host of health and homelessness organisations have implored the Government to take ‘bold action’ and help councils bring rough sleepers off the streets this winter.
