Welfare reform
The new ECA could be the good press debt collection desperately needs
Alan Hamblett discusses the introduction of the Enforcement Conduct Authority (ECA) and what this means for creditors including local authorities.
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.
London boroughs face £23m rent arrears due to Universal Credit
The rollout of Universal Credit is leading to thousands of council tenants falling behind on rent payments, new research commissioned by London Councils has found.
Cost of Universal Credit set to soar, says watchdog
The cost of running Universal Credit is likely to be more expensive than the systems it replaces, is placing a huge burden on staff administering it and has the highest rate of overpayments for any benefit other than tax credits according to a National Audit Office report.
ADCS president calls for welfare overhaul
The impact of the pandemic on children’s futures must not be underestimated, the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has said.
Welfare provision ‘overly centralised’ London council chiefs say
A new report from the cross-party organisation London Councils has criticised the current approach to welfare provision, describing it as ‘overly centralised’.
NI senior policy officer warns of 'perfect storm'
The difficulties facing councils and their communities in Northern Ireland are ‘turning into a perfect storm ahead’ according to a senior local government policy officer representing all 11 councils.
Conservative Street in housing benefits freeze call
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has called on his own party to reduce homelessness by reversing the housing benefits freeze.
In-work poverty is the scourge of our time, says Miller
‘In-work poverty is the scourge of our time,’ former Solace president Jo Miller has told BBC’s Women’s Hour.
We need to rethink our attitudes to older ‘perennials’
The state and society should stop assuming everyone over the age of 55 is elderly, and target scarce resources in health and care on helping those who really are getting on a bit, the over-80s, says Michael Burton.
LGA in low income household call
The Spending Review must restore councils’ ability to support low income households, Smith Square has urged.
Think-tank: Give councils powers of abolished DWP
Councils and their health and education partners should be handed responsibility for supporting ‘harder-to-help’ groups into employment, a report by think-tank Demos has suggested.
Rudd delays Universal Credit rollout
Work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd has delayed the next phase of the Universal Credit (UC) rollout amid ongoing concerns over the controversial system.
Government 'in denial' over cuts impact
The Government is in a ‘state of denial’ over the damage it is doing through cuts to council funding and its policy on welfare reform, according to a United Nations (UN) report.
Universal Credit bad for people's health - academics
Universal Credit (UC) is bad for health and wellbeing, academics have found in a new study commissioned by Gateshead MBC.
Ending the cycle of homelessness
Chief executive of Craven DC, Paul Shevlin, says councils need more funding and affordable housing to end the cycle of homelessness.
Furious LGA attacks Universal Support decision
Smith Square has penned a stinging rebuke to a senior civil servant over Whitehall’s shock decision to strip responsibility for Universal Support from councils.
Casey: Involve councils in sorting Universal Credit
Whitehall must use the expertise of councils to sort out Universal Credit (UC), a former senior Government adviser has told The MJ.
McVey: Some people will be worse off under Universal Credit
Work and pensions secretary Esther McVey has admitted that some people will be worse off as a result of the introduction of Universal Credit (UC).
Councils' concern over Universal Support withdrawal
Councils have reacted with dismay after the Government handed support for the Universal Credit (UC) rollout to the charity sector.