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The efficiency imperative: driving impact via data driven outreach With increasing demand and shrinking resources, councils face growing pressure to deliver impactful support to vulnerable residents efficiently.

In this webinar, we explore how data driven outreach campaigns can help local authorities overcome these challenges and achieve impactful results.

Join us to hear from two leading local government organisations as they share their experiences using Campaign Manager, a powerful new feature of the LIFT platform.

Discover how they’ve leveraged their data using intelligent analytics to identify financially vulnerable residents, streamline their outreach processes, and maximise both resident outcomes and cost savings.

This session will cover:

- Strategies to manage rising demand with limited resources
- How data insights can drive targeted and efficient resident support
- Real world results from councils using Campaign Manager for impactful outreach campaigns

Join us to learn how your council can also turn insights into action and make smarter, data-driven decisions to support your communities.

With guest speakers:

- Seth Pearson, Darlington Partnership Director, Darlington Borough Council
- Sarah Small, Darlington Partnership Programme Officer, Darlington Borough Council
- Fahmida Rahman, Senior Policy Officer, Greater London Authority

26/3/2025

10:30am GMT

1.3 hours

Protecting vulnerable consumers in regulated sectors Regulated industries such as water, energy and finance play a critical role in people’s lives. With increasing economic pressures, more consumers are becoming vulnerable, requiring additional support and protections.

Regulators like Ofwat, Ofgem and the FCA have tightened expectations around how businesses identify, support and engage with vulnerable customers. Failure to comply can result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties and customer hardship. But how can organisations balance compliance with commercial priorities while delivering fair outcomes for consumers?

Join industry experts as we explore best practices, regulatory expectations and practical strategies for businesses to proactively identify and protect vulnerable consumers. Gain actionable insights on:

- The evolving regulatory landscape across Ofwat, Ofgem and the FCA
- Effective strategies for identifying and supporting vulnerable customers
- Case studies showcasing successful industry approaches
- How technology and data can enhance consumer protection

Join this webinar to learn how to strengthen your compliance strategy, improve customer engagement and safeguard both consumers and your organisation’s reputation.

Register now to stay ahead of regulatory expectations and build a more consumer focused business.

30/4/2025

10:30am BST

1.3 hours

Harnessing data for regional impact: empowering local leaders to drive change Devolution is one of the core missions of the new government, promising a strong focus on giving local areas more control over services. To tackle economic inactivity, and with many people across the UK needing support, it’s vital that local authorities deliver effective, targeted interventions. The success of tailored, region-specific approaches depends on how well local areas can harness data to drive change.

Local organisations, from Mayoral Combined Authorities to county councils, need to deliver these crucial services. Accessing and using the data insights required to implement efficient and effective programmes is a challenge and, without localised data, decision making can become less accurate. This leads to inefficient resource allocation and missed opportunities to reach those who need help the most.

Data analysis offers the key to overcoming these challenges. By harnessing the power of local data, authorities can get the accurate insights they need to target support where it will be most effective. With the right insights, local areas can design and deliver services that are more tailored, timely and impactful, ensuring the right residents get the right support at the right time.

Proven results from current data led initiatives already show the transformative potential of this approach.

Join this webinar to hear from guest speakers who have successfully implemented data driven campaigns. They will showcase real world examples of how they have come together to achieve measurable outcomes.

We’ll also explore how these data insights can be applied to address key issues like economic inactivity, youth unemployment and social isolation to deliver lasting change across regions.

21/5/2025

10:30am BST

1.3 hours

Blog

Our review of the Chancellor’s statement and the impact on benefit take up

Deven Ghelani Published on 30th July 2024

Yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, made a statement to the House of Commons. The speech highlighted the importance of strategic fiscal planning.

Reflecting on past practices such as George Osborne’s broad cuts in 2010, Policy in Practice founder and director, Deven Ghelani, says it is evident that indiscriminate reductions, particularly in social security, can be counterproductive. Previous cuts to Universal Credit and the Work Capability Assessment’s limited capability component serve as prime examples of where short term savings led to long term costs.

The new Office for Value for Money and the establishment of the Child Poverty Unit indicate a commendable shift towards more thoughtful spending. These measures align with Deven’s recommendations made in his time with the Centre for Social Justice which can be read in their report on improving governmental spending decisions.

The Chancellor’s speech indicates a welcome shift towards more thoughtful spending, measures that align with recommendations Deven made at the Centre for Social Justice

Additionally, analysis by Policy in Practice to be published this week reveals that 12% of households with children are currently impacted by the Benefit Cap. 21% of children in low income households helped by removing the two child limit will then be hit by the benefit cap, making the total figure 33%.

The Chancellor announced in her formal statement that the government would retain the triple lock, but would remove Winter Fuel Payments from all pensioners apart from those receiving means tested benefits such as Pension Credit.

This move is estimated to save around £1.5bn, by removing payments to around 10 million pensioners. This shows how vital it is that pensioners claim all that they are eligible for. Local Authorities and other organisations play a crucial role in getting these people the help they deserve. Policy in Practice works with local authorities all over the country to help them identify people eligible for Pension Credit.

Policy in Practice found that 807,704 pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit and not claiming, with an average award of £2,677 per year. With the total of other support available for pensioners on a low income, this change means that the total value of unclaimed support could increase to over £9,500 a year.

Pension Credit take up campaigns by some local authorities have significantly grown the incomes of older people who were eligible but not claiming

The Chancellor further announced they would consider the cost of living when calculating the Minimum Wage and bring forward plans to merge Housing Benefit and Pension Credit to streamline administration and boost take up. This is expected to lead to Pension Credit having a ‘housing element’ included to support the phasing out of Housing Benefit.

As Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, navigates her role with the spending directives from the Chancellor, a strategic focus on simplicity and proactive support for individuals will be crucial for effective governance and minimising harm.

If you are interested in our upcoming research on the impact of the removal of the two child limit and the Benefit Cap, or to see how we can work together to support people to claim all they’re eligible for, please email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk.