As another year draws to a close we reflect on the challenges local organisations are experiencing in delivering welfare reform.
Policy in Practice asked local organisations supporting vulnerable people:
- What were the main challenges your residents faced?
- What were the main challenges your organisation faced in 2016?
- What are your hopes and fears for tackling poverty in 2017?
The infographic below summarises the results of our survey. Download infographic (PDF) here
Top 5 challenges faced by low income households in 2016
- Childcare
- Skills
- Mental health
- Available jobs
- Other ill health
Top 5 challenges faced by local authorities in 2016
- Budget cuts
- Housing
- Engaging people
- More reforms
- Barriers to work
Residents’ hopes for 2017
- Funding for development of affordable homes is increased
- Universal Credit is better understood and explained by JCP advisors
- Residents affected by the Benefit Cap get better support
Residents’ fears for 2017
- Personal debt and mental health issues will continue to escalate
- Vulnerable people are unable to manage their money
- Direct payments will lead to increased arrears
Local authority’s hopes for 2017
- Devolution brings genuine powers to deliver a holistic service
- Joined up information and insight leads to a single view of each household
- More action, less talk leads to better public services
Local authority’s fears for 2017
- Universal Credit and Homelessness Reduction bill means more change
- Housing shortages mean more cost and difficult decisions for advisors
- With fewer resources local authorities must support more people, with inconsistent support from JCP work coaches
Six important themes for local government in 2017
- Housing is the biggest issue for LAs. Affordability and availability of homes for rent, plus the cost of temporary accommodation, are critical issues
- Households in work are now expected to progress, but what works? Skills, childcare and health are bigger barriers to work than motivation to get a job
- Engagement with customers is an ongoing challenge, whilst communication with DWP and other partners needs to substantially improve
- There is no more debate or uncertainty, now is the time for implementing UC. LAs want to learn from those who’ve gone first – learn from our clients
- Support budgets are inadequate. Finely targeting support and using data to segment is essential to help those most in need – use your household data
- Better quality advice needs to be given for staff, and subsequently by staff, to residents. Some LAs are not ready for rollout of UC – check out our advisor software
