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Connecting support: Why your tenants are falling into arrears and what you can do about it Rising rent arrears, increasing income volatility and upcoming changes to disability benefits are creating new challenges for housing providers and local authorities across the UK.

Recent analysis by Policy in Practice highlights how built in features of the welfare system, such as real time income assessment, benefit deductions and policy reforms, are contributing to financial instability among tenants, particularly those already facing structural barriers like disability, caring responsibilities or single parenthood.

For many low income households, the issue isn’t budgeting, it’s that their income is eroded before it arrives. Over half of Universal Credit recipients are repaying debt through automatic deductions, leaving them short for essentials like rent. Others are impacted by erratic payment cycles or policy shifts, increasing the risk of arrears and even homelessness.

In response, Policy in Practice and Pocket Power have partnered to create a more joined up approach to tenant support. By integrating income maximisation tools with accessible referral routes, housing providers can now take a more holistic and proactive approach to preventing arrears and supporting tenancy sustainment.

Join this webinar to explore:

- The current policy landscape and how it impacts tenant incomes
- How integrated tools like the Better Off Calculator and Pocket Power referral service support a smoother customer journey
- Real world insights from guest housing providers who are using smart software to coordinate applications and reduce repeat data collection

If you're working to improve financial outcomes for tenants and reduce tenancy breakdowns, this session will offer timely, practical insights rooted in current data and frontline experience.

With guest speaker: Helen Burgess, Managing Director, Pocket Power

23/7/2025

10:30am BST

1.3 hours

Understanding the impact of disability benefits reforms on local authorities Sweeping changes to disability benefits are set to affect millions of low income households across the UK. While some recent government concessions have softened the immediate impact, significant cuts remain on the horizon, with major implications for councils, NHS services and local support systems.

New analysis from Policy in Practice shows that around 2.9 million people will be affected by the reforms, with combined losses totalling up to £6.8 billion per year. Some households stand to lose as much as £9,000 annually. These losses are not evenly distributed, and some local authorities will be hit far harder than others.

The reforms also risk putting additional pressure on already stretched services. Mental health support, discretionary housing payments, and advice services are all expected to face rising demand as a result of this shift. For councils, understanding who will be affected and preparing early will be key to avoiding deepening hardship in their communities.

In response, Policy in Practice is using local level modelling to help councils forecast the financial and social impact of these reforms. By combining granular data analysis with policy expertise, local authorities can prepare for what's coming and act now to support their most vulnerable residents.

Join this webinar to explore:

- What’s changing with disability benefits and the current policy timeline
- Where the biggest financial impacts will be felt, based on new local modelling
- How councils can prepare and target support to reduce hardship and service demand
- Real world insights from local authorities already responding to these challenges

If you're working in a local authority, the NHS, or wider support services, this session will offer critical insight into a fast moving policy landscape and equip you with the tools to respond proactively and strategically.

With guest speakers to be announced

27/8/2025

10:30am BST

1.3 hours

Lambeth Council tackles child poverty by auto enrolling 1,500 students in Free School Meals

Challenge

Too many children in Lambeth missing out on Free School Meals and vital school funding

Solution

Auto enrolment using data unlocks access to Free School Meals

Impact

£600 savings per family, £3 million boost for schools

Figures correct as at July 2025

"Our commitment to maximising Free School Meals enrolment not only ensures fairer access to essential nourishment for children in Lambeth’s schools but also directly channels vital additional funding into our schools."

Challenge: Too many children in Lambeth missing out on Free School Meals and vital school funding

Children from households on benefits are six times more likely to be at risk of food poverty than those not on benefits. This has knock on effects on school attendance, wellbeing and learning.

FSM is a gateway benefit that not only provides nutritious meals during term time and school holidays, but also opens up access to other forms of support, including the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme and school uniform grants. Yet many families don’t claim FSM due to low awareness, complicated applications, or the assumption they won’t qualify.

Schools also miss out. For each eligible child, primary schools receive £1,455 and secondary schools £1,035 through the Pupil Premium. However, this funding is only unlocked when a family formally applies for FSM, creating a gap in both support and resourcing.

Solution: Auto enrolment using data unlocks access to Free School Meals

Lambeth Council led the way for other councils by auto enrolling over 1,500 additional pupils to Free School Meals using the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) platform from Policy in Practice. LIFT combines housing benefit, council tax support and Universal Credit data with policy rules to identify households eligible for FSM.

This data was matched against the School Census to pinpoint children who were eligible but not claiming FSM. Armed with this insight, Lambeth launched an auto award campaign, directly enrolling eligible children without requiring a parent led application.

The council sent letters to families letting them know that their child would be enrolled in FSM unless they chose to opt out. This light touch approach removes barriers and reduces the risk of families missing out.

Impact: £600 savings per family, £3 million boost for schools

Thanks to Lambeth’s proactive strategy to tackle child hunger, as of July 2025, 1,500 children in Lambeth have now been auto enrolled in FSM.

Families are saving an average of £600 per child per year, including:

£460 from daily school meals during term time
£130 in FSM holiday vouchers

Access to the HAF programme, saves eligible families an additional £35 per week in the summer, up to £445 per year.

Schools in Lambeth have received an estimated £3 million in additional funding through the Pupil Premium and National Funding Formula.

This initiative demonstrates that removing the need for parents to apply for Free School Meals through auto enrolment can deliver significant benefits for both families and schools. At a time when many households are forced to choose between heating and eating due to the rising cost of living, FSM auto enrolment is a vital tool to ensure that no child goes hungry.