News

"The measures announced today should allow councils to ensure that fewer claimants get into financial difficulty at the start of their claim."

"The Government needs to restore funding to councils for local welfare assistance schemes so they can provide the local safety net to help those struggling to cope with welfare reforms, including the roll out of Universal Credit."

"The Government needs to use this delay to work closely with the LGA, councils and stakeholders so that we can provide the best for vulnerable claimants and ensure no-one loses out on transitional protection. "

Chair of the LGA’s Resources Board, Cllr Richard Watts, responds to the Work and Pensions Committee’s report which found that vulnerable groups have been worst affected by welfare reforms.

The loan sharks warning comes as latest figures show that 12,652 people a week in the UK are seeking help for problem debt – the equivalent of one person every 48 seconds.

“The adjustment of the taper rate of Universal Credit and the increase in the work allowance announced today is an important part of supporting recovery from the pandemic, which should help to mitigate some but not all of the impact of the ending of the Universal Credit uplift."

“Using their local leadership, knowledge of the local labour market and ability to bring partners together, councils are uniquely placed to deliver a coherent, local joined-up offer to help people get back into work and training, backed up by the right funding.”

“Councils are urging the Government to make the Household Support Fund it has provided to councils permanent, alongside greater flexibility so they can ensure it helps people in the greatest need."

“Protecting the most vulnerable from the rising cost of living is a crucial priority which councils share with government and it is positive to see this fund extended for another year."

Working parents should be helped with childcare costs by raising the cap on what they can claim back under Universal Credit, as figures suggest just 13 per cent of those eligible are claiming support.