Listen back to hear Policy in Practice in conversation with Allan Clark, Barnet Council, to learn how they're changing their council tax support scheme for Universal Credit.
We cover how Policy in Practice's comprehensive impact modelling provided the data that Barnet Council's Members needed to agree amended schemes with confidence.
Listen back to learn:
- How LAs’ CTS schemes have evolved since they were first introduced
- What factors Barnet modelled, and why
- What schemes Barnet considered, rejected and implemented
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242.
How to target your Discretionary Housing Payments wellPolicy in Practice
It's hard for local authorities to be sure that support is reaching the households that need help the most. We know that 9 in 10 applications for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) are successful, yet only 1 in 5 households that need a DHP apply. We help local authorities carry out a full needs assessment, as recommended by the DWP, using housing benefit data to create insights that will make council's DHP funds go further.
In this webinar we looked at levels of financial resilience and the need for Discretionary Housing Payments. We were joined by Ellie Kershaw, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, who spoke about how they spend DHP money in line with their local priorities and how they're raising awareness and increasing referrals from those in need.
View the slides to see how our LIFT Dashboard and Benefit and Budgeting Calculator helps LB Tower Hamlets to:
- ensure the consistency of help given by frontline staff
- reduce the time it takes staff to understand eligibility for a DHP
- evidence how well their DHP strategy is working
To find out more visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242
netwealth 2015 Federal Budget webinar presentationnetwealthInvest
This presentation provides a summary of information announced in the 2015-16 Federal Budget which may be of interest to financial advisers and their clients.
Key topics covered in this presentation are:
- Small business
- Taxation
- Superannuation
- Social Security and Aged Care
- Other
Please note that many of these announcements are yet to be legislated, and care should be taken before implementing a financial strategy based on Budget announcements alone.
IRRV2015 - Progress on Welfare Reform by Deven GhelaniPolicy in Practice
The IRRV Annual Conference 2015 featured this presentation by Deven Ghelani about Progress on Welfare Reform.
Understanding the impact of cumulative and future welfare reforms on individual residents was at the heart of Deven's talk.
Stark insights from welfare reform impact analysis work done with Leeds City Council and Birmingham City Council were shared.
Deven outlined how specific welfare reforms have different impacts and what these mean to individual residents.
Policy makers in local authorities need to make sure that their policies are appropriate to local needs. Yet, without the insights that councils like Leeds and Birmingham have secured, the risk is that support programmes are blanket and wasteful, not targeted and effective.
Webinar | Wed 25 Jan 2017. Listen back to hear how Policy in Practice models the impacts of different Council Tax Reduction schemes on individual households, taking future reforms into account.
Featuring guest speaker Steve Hill, LB Tower Hamlets.
Deven Ghelani spoke at Destin Solutions webinar on the impact the Breathing Space policy will have on local authorities.
View these slides to find out:
- The context for debt and collections in the UK
- What is Breathing Space?
- The impact on council tax collection
- Our findings for the GLA
- The case for early intervention: ReImagine Debt
For more details call 0330 088 9242
https://policyinpractice.co.uk/webinar-how-to-influence-central-government/
Webinar: Mapping The Impact of the Summer Budget in BirminghamPolicy in Practice
Birmingham City Council mapped the cumulative impact of the latest welfare reforms on residents using a data set all local authorities have.
View this slide deck to see the results of the analysis, and to learn how the council is using the information to shape their support for people impacted by welfare reforms.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Individual Tax Planning InsightRea & Associates
The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act managed to pack in a lot of changes for individual filers, many of which have left more than a few of us scratching our heads. This webinar will dive into the provisions that will have the most impact on individual tax strategy, including changes associates with trusts and estates. Cindy Kula, CPA, PFS, CFP, and Inez Bowie, CPA, CSEP, have already spent countless hours combing through the legislation and additional guidance so you don’t have to. Join us for this session to find out what they found.
How to target your Discretionary Housing Payments wellPolicy in Practice
It's hard for local authorities to be sure that support is reaching the households that need help the most. We know that 9 in 10 applications for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) are successful, yet only 1 in 5 households that need a DHP apply. We help local authorities carry out a full needs assessment, as recommended by the DWP, using housing benefit data to create insights that will make council's DHP funds go further.
In this webinar we looked at levels of financial resilience and the need for Discretionary Housing Payments. We were joined by Ellie Kershaw, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, who spoke about how they spend DHP money in line with their local priorities and how they're raising awareness and increasing referrals from those in need.
View the slides to see how our LIFT Dashboard and Benefit and Budgeting Calculator helps LB Tower Hamlets to:
- ensure the consistency of help given by frontline staff
- reduce the time it takes staff to understand eligibility for a DHP
- evidence how well their DHP strategy is working
To find out more visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242
netwealth 2015 Federal Budget webinar presentationnetwealthInvest
This presentation provides a summary of information announced in the 2015-16 Federal Budget which may be of interest to financial advisers and their clients.
Key topics covered in this presentation are:
- Small business
- Taxation
- Superannuation
- Social Security and Aged Care
- Other
Please note that many of these announcements are yet to be legislated, and care should be taken before implementing a financial strategy based on Budget announcements alone.
IRRV2015 - Progress on Welfare Reform by Deven GhelaniPolicy in Practice
The IRRV Annual Conference 2015 featured this presentation by Deven Ghelani about Progress on Welfare Reform.
Understanding the impact of cumulative and future welfare reforms on individual residents was at the heart of Deven's talk.
Stark insights from welfare reform impact analysis work done with Leeds City Council and Birmingham City Council were shared.
Deven outlined how specific welfare reforms have different impacts and what these mean to individual residents.
Policy makers in local authorities need to make sure that their policies are appropriate to local needs. Yet, without the insights that councils like Leeds and Birmingham have secured, the risk is that support programmes are blanket and wasteful, not targeted and effective.
Webinar | Wed 25 Jan 2017. Listen back to hear how Policy in Practice models the impacts of different Council Tax Reduction schemes on individual households, taking future reforms into account.
Featuring guest speaker Steve Hill, LB Tower Hamlets.
Deven Ghelani spoke at Destin Solutions webinar on the impact the Breathing Space policy will have on local authorities.
View these slides to find out:
- The context for debt and collections in the UK
- What is Breathing Space?
- The impact on council tax collection
- Our findings for the GLA
- The case for early intervention: ReImagine Debt
For more details call 0330 088 9242
https://policyinpractice.co.uk/webinar-how-to-influence-central-government/
Webinar: Mapping The Impact of the Summer Budget in BirminghamPolicy in Practice
Birmingham City Council mapped the cumulative impact of the latest welfare reforms on residents using a data set all local authorities have.
View this slide deck to see the results of the analysis, and to learn how the council is using the information to shape their support for people impacted by welfare reforms.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Individual Tax Planning InsightRea & Associates
The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act managed to pack in a lot of changes for individual filers, many of which have left more than a few of us scratching our heads. This webinar will dive into the provisions that will have the most impact on individual tax strategy, including changes associates with trusts and estates. Cindy Kula, CPA, PFS, CFP, and Inez Bowie, CPA, CSEP, have already spent countless hours combing through the legislation and additional guidance so you don’t have to. Join us for this session to find out what they found.
In this webinar, CARES Act Funding and Single Audit Update, Withum’s Devin Desmond and Jennifer Stewart discuss recent developments related to Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in addition to revisions to Uniform Guidance and Single Audit implications. Viewers are able to identify recent developments related to CARES Act funding and better understand revisions to Uniform Guidance and impact on Single Audits.
London Councils' Welfare Reform Impact Assessment presentationPolicy in Practice
Deven Ghelani presented to the London Councils' Benefits Managers meeting on Thursday 21 January about Welfare Reform Impact Assessment.
Deven shared the approach that Policy in Practice has used to help local authorities in London to understand the impact of welfare reform on individual households. He shared insights from the recent analysis carried out for LB Hounslow.
Healthcare| Ontario| | Analysis and Commentary| January 2019paul young cpa, cga
Healthcare is a key area for many countries
Canada spends roughly 10% of GDP on healthcare or about $200B. Approximately 20% comes from the federal government through the HST
The largest expenditures for provinces is healthcare. Ontario for example spends around $55B or about 40% of their budget on healthcare
There is lots of waste within healthcare as many provinces have not done a very good job when it comes to value for money/healthcare
The delivery model is broken!
A full analysis from our policy team on how the actions of the 2014 Legislature will affect your bottom line, and an early preview of what issues are anticipated for the 2015 Legislature.
Payroll legislation is constantly changing and keeping fully up to date can be challenging. Our Taunton payroll and auto enrolment manager, Kirsty Small, will present a comprehensive update and will guide you through all the recent legislative changes and those that will be coming up in the near future. She will also draw your attention to common problems and pitfalls that clients regularly need help and advice with.
Topics covered will include:
• Legislation changes – recent and to come
• GDPR
• Auto Enrolment – triennial review and update
• General update
• Apprenticeship levy
2020 Year-End Tax Planning for Law Firms and AttorneysWithum
Tax planning can be a difficult strategic process; this tax planning season is further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the uncertainties surrounding the Presidential Election. This session will shed light on a number of significant considerations regarding NJ BAIT, nexus issues related to remote working, and PPP loan forgiveness as it relates to general high net worth planning.
Over 40 delegates attended Norfolk County Council’s annual Business Ratepayers Consultation event on Wednesday 13 January 2016, at Holiday Inn, Ipswich Road, Norwich. Norfolk Chamber delivered the event in partnership with the County Council.
Our Spring Tax Updates will be taking place across the region in March 2018.
The update will include the following:
• Comment on the latest legislative changes
• Provide practical advice
• Help to prepare for the end of the tax year
• Give thoughts on the current tax policy
A Taxation and Benefits System to End Child Poverty - John DickieOxfam GB
John Dickie, head of the Child Poverty Action Group Scotland, talks about how a different taxation and benefits system can help end child poverty.
The Whose Economy? seminars, organised by Oxfam Scotland and the University of the West of Scotland, brought together experts to look at recent changes in the Scottish economy and their impact on Scotland's most vulnerable communities.
Held over winter and spring 2010-11 in Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Stirling, the series posed the question of what economy is being created in Scotland and, specifically, for whom?
To find out more and view other Whose Economy? papers, presentations and videos visit:
http://www.oxfamblogs.org/ukpovertypost/whose-economy-seminar-series-winter-2010-spring-2011/
Netwealth educational webinar: New super changes, new planning opportunitiesnetwealthInvest
The Netwealth Technical Services team, Keat Chew and Nigel Smith, discuss the current superannuation landscape - exploring the complexity of the recent changes and how the changes could impact your clients.
Lessons learned: our year modelling Council Tax Reduction SchemesPolicy in Practice
In this webinar Policy in Practice gave a review of the 150 or so council tax reduction (CTR) support schemes we modelled for local authority clients in 2019. Zoe Charlesworth, Head of Policy, and Megan Mclean, Policy and Operations Analyst, recapped on highlights from our analysis, discussed trends we've identified and considered what this means for local authorities in 2020.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk
COVID-19 has created residents who are newly financially vulnerable and who will be looking to you for help in the near future. But who are these people, and what action can you take now to stop them falling into crisis? And, critically, how will your support services need to adapt?
As the pandemic continues to hit the financial resilience of many families, councils are looking ahead to what this means for collection rates, and whether their council tax support schemes can cope with increased demand.
In this webinar, Zoe Charlesworth summarised the latest and forthcoming policy updates which will drive the need for local authorities to redesign their CTR schemes, highlighting the importance of how understanding this context can assist scheme design.
Paul Howarth presented some key insights from our analysis on Understanding the Impact of Universal Credit on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Rent Arrears in Wales.
Dr Ben Fell shared details of our latest work on future modelling and how it can help you future-proof CTR schemes for local authorities.
Finally, Sally Sanders shared how working with Policy in Practice has helped Enfield Council model a new scheme to help protect residents from COVID-19 income shocks.
Listen back to hear:
- New analysis for the Welsh Government on the impact of Universal Credit on rent and council tax arrears
- How COVID-19 is expected to change your caseload, and what this means for your council tax support scheme
-Measures you can take to boost future collection rates and minimise arrears
In this webinar, CARES Act Funding and Single Audit Update, Withum’s Devin Desmond and Jennifer Stewart discuss recent developments related to Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in addition to revisions to Uniform Guidance and Single Audit implications. Viewers are able to identify recent developments related to CARES Act funding and better understand revisions to Uniform Guidance and impact on Single Audits.
London Councils' Welfare Reform Impact Assessment presentationPolicy in Practice
Deven Ghelani presented to the London Councils' Benefits Managers meeting on Thursday 21 January about Welfare Reform Impact Assessment.
Deven shared the approach that Policy in Practice has used to help local authorities in London to understand the impact of welfare reform on individual households. He shared insights from the recent analysis carried out for LB Hounslow.
Healthcare| Ontario| | Analysis and Commentary| January 2019paul young cpa, cga
Healthcare is a key area for many countries
Canada spends roughly 10% of GDP on healthcare or about $200B. Approximately 20% comes from the federal government through the HST
The largest expenditures for provinces is healthcare. Ontario for example spends around $55B or about 40% of their budget on healthcare
There is lots of waste within healthcare as many provinces have not done a very good job when it comes to value for money/healthcare
The delivery model is broken!
A full analysis from our policy team on how the actions of the 2014 Legislature will affect your bottom line, and an early preview of what issues are anticipated for the 2015 Legislature.
Payroll legislation is constantly changing and keeping fully up to date can be challenging. Our Taunton payroll and auto enrolment manager, Kirsty Small, will present a comprehensive update and will guide you through all the recent legislative changes and those that will be coming up in the near future. She will also draw your attention to common problems and pitfalls that clients regularly need help and advice with.
Topics covered will include:
• Legislation changes – recent and to come
• GDPR
• Auto Enrolment – triennial review and update
• General update
• Apprenticeship levy
2020 Year-End Tax Planning for Law Firms and AttorneysWithum
Tax planning can be a difficult strategic process; this tax planning season is further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the uncertainties surrounding the Presidential Election. This session will shed light on a number of significant considerations regarding NJ BAIT, nexus issues related to remote working, and PPP loan forgiveness as it relates to general high net worth planning.
Over 40 delegates attended Norfolk County Council’s annual Business Ratepayers Consultation event on Wednesday 13 January 2016, at Holiday Inn, Ipswich Road, Norwich. Norfolk Chamber delivered the event in partnership with the County Council.
Our Spring Tax Updates will be taking place across the region in March 2018.
The update will include the following:
• Comment on the latest legislative changes
• Provide practical advice
• Help to prepare for the end of the tax year
• Give thoughts on the current tax policy
A Taxation and Benefits System to End Child Poverty - John DickieOxfam GB
John Dickie, head of the Child Poverty Action Group Scotland, talks about how a different taxation and benefits system can help end child poverty.
The Whose Economy? seminars, organised by Oxfam Scotland and the University of the West of Scotland, brought together experts to look at recent changes in the Scottish economy and their impact on Scotland's most vulnerable communities.
Held over winter and spring 2010-11 in Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Stirling, the series posed the question of what economy is being created in Scotland and, specifically, for whom?
To find out more and view other Whose Economy? papers, presentations and videos visit:
http://www.oxfamblogs.org/ukpovertypost/whose-economy-seminar-series-winter-2010-spring-2011/
Netwealth educational webinar: New super changes, new planning opportunitiesnetwealthInvest
The Netwealth Technical Services team, Keat Chew and Nigel Smith, discuss the current superannuation landscape - exploring the complexity of the recent changes and how the changes could impact your clients.
Lessons learned: our year modelling Council Tax Reduction SchemesPolicy in Practice
In this webinar Policy in Practice gave a review of the 150 or so council tax reduction (CTR) support schemes we modelled for local authority clients in 2019. Zoe Charlesworth, Head of Policy, and Megan Mclean, Policy and Operations Analyst, recapped on highlights from our analysis, discussed trends we've identified and considered what this means for local authorities in 2020.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk
COVID-19 has created residents who are newly financially vulnerable and who will be looking to you for help in the near future. But who are these people, and what action can you take now to stop them falling into crisis? And, critically, how will your support services need to adapt?
As the pandemic continues to hit the financial resilience of many families, councils are looking ahead to what this means for collection rates, and whether their council tax support schemes can cope with increased demand.
In this webinar, Zoe Charlesworth summarised the latest and forthcoming policy updates which will drive the need for local authorities to redesign their CTR schemes, highlighting the importance of how understanding this context can assist scheme design.
Paul Howarth presented some key insights from our analysis on Understanding the Impact of Universal Credit on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Rent Arrears in Wales.
Dr Ben Fell shared details of our latest work on future modelling and how it can help you future-proof CTR schemes for local authorities.
Finally, Sally Sanders shared how working with Policy in Practice has helped Enfield Council model a new scheme to help protect residents from COVID-19 income shocks.
Listen back to hear:
- New analysis for the Welsh Government on the impact of Universal Credit on rent and council tax arrears
- How COVID-19 is expected to change your caseload, and what this means for your council tax support scheme
-Measures you can take to boost future collection rates and minimise arrears
Webinar: Understand how Universal Credit affects Council Tax Reduction SchemesPolicy in Practice
Universal Credit full service will change the amount of Council Tax Support households receive and how much this will cost the council.
To best support all households, councils need to know the full impact that Universal Credit full service will have in their area. This crucial information lets councils consider scheme change to support the most vulnerable households.
In this webinar, we explain the detail of how Universal Credit affects the Council Tax Support that households receive and the cost to the council. We offer some rules of thumb on typical winners or losers, and suggest who may need support.
View the webinar slides to learn:
- how to model the impact of Universal Credit in your CTR scheme
- why changing your CTR scheme for Universal Credit roll out is important
- how certain groups of households will be affected
- the impact on council spending
- what you can do to protect vulnerable groups
With guest speaker Jenny Hoare, Wolverhampton City Council.
For more information please visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242
Understanding the impact of welfare reforms on households in the South EastPolicy in Practice
With the lower Benefit Cap coming in Autumn 2016 and Universal Credit firmly in its implementation phase, knowing what impact welfare reform policies will have on individual households is more critical than ever.
It’s also important to understand the impact of interventions. Targeting support to those households where it will have the greatest impact is crucial as local authorities continue to find ways to deliver more with less.
This Policy in Practice seminar from Wednesday 28 September 2016 showcased pioneering work being done by two London councils, Croydon and Tower Hamlets. Their work combines pre-emptive analysis with proactive programmes that will reach out to households and offer support, before reforms hit them.
May recap of the major benefits changes and Coronavirus (COVID-19)Policy in Practice
As new measures to control Coronavirus (COVID-19) are introduced Policy in Practice's Head of Policy, Zoe Charlesworth, summarises the major changes to the welfare system.
As part of the support we've been providing we’ve answered hundreds of questions from people worried about the impact of Coronavirus on their income.
In addition, Megan Mclean shares some of the common questions we’ve received on our Coronavirus support page from people who are worried about their income.
Special guest Victoria Todd, Low Incomes Tax Reform Group, updates us on tax credits.
Finally, Peter Carter briefly walks through software tools that help our clients to give the best advice possible to their customers.
Review the slides to learn:
- What policy measures are in place to protect people
- The impact of COVID-19 welfare measures
- What the main concerns of people are
- How organisations are responding
Register now for our next webinar 'Coronavirus: Stories from the frontline' taking place on May 20 at 10:30 here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7790971575243794701
If the date of this webinar has passed you can view our webinars on demand here http://policyinpractice.co.uk/events/
How landlords can prepare for managed migration workshopPolicy in Practice
Policy in Practice has teamed up with Bill Irvine, UC Advice & Advocacy, to help housing associations learn how to prepare for managed migration to Universal Credit. This workshop featured the following speakers and topics:
Background to Universal Credit managed migration by Zoe Charlesworth, Policy in Practice
The view from the frontline by Nadine Burns and Michelle Birley, The Guinness Group
Key challenges to smooth delivery of managed migration by Bill Irvine, Universal Credit Advice
Transitional Protection by Louise Murphy, Policy and Data Analyst, Policy in Practice
Best practice advice for preparing tenants by Bill Irvine, Universal Credit Advice
How Royal Borough of Greenwich is preparing for managed migration by Corin Hammersley, Royal Borough of Greenwich
Develop your own proactive action plan for managed migration
For more information please visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk
IntoWork2015 Conference: Targeting Support - Who Will Welfare Reforms Hit Har...Policy in Practice
Targeting Support: Who Will Welfare Reforms Hit Hardest?
Speakers: Deven Ghelani, Policy in Practice, Guy Chaundy, Birmingham City Council
Event: Inclusion's IntoWork2015 Convention, Wed 15 July 2015, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London.
The speakers told attendees how data insights are helping reshape the distribution of scarce support resources for two large councils in England.
By analysing data they are collect the councils have gained valuable knowledge about the cumulative impact of welfare reforms on individual households in their respective areas.
What's more, those councils have also forecasted what the likely impact of future welfare reforms will be.
This means they know which households are most vulnerable to cuts, and which will be better off under Universal Credit.
Crucially, these insights allow them to therefore deliver support campaigns where they're most needed.
Deven Ghelani is the director of Policy in Practice, an organisation founded to ensure that policy works for people on the frontline. He was joined by Guy Chaundy from Birmingham City Council.
Webinar: How to future proof your Council Tax Reduction Scheme for Universal ...Policy in Practice
As Universal Credit is implemented, it's crunch time for local authorities. Now is the time to make bold changes to council tax support schemes so the most vulnerable people are protected from poverty, whatever Universal Credit means for them. Yet knowing who those people are is a huge challenge.
Policy in Practice has worked with 22 councils to model options for Council Tax Reduction Schemes, taking into account the impact of Universal Credit on households. These detailed, evidence based assessments are used by officers and members to make informed policy decisions, as well as hold consultations with stakeholders.
View these slides to learn:
- how to model the impact of Universal Credit in your CTR scheme
- what common scheme options other councils consider
- how local priorities can be supported within budget
- why it's important to change your CTR scheme in the lead up to Universal Credit roll out
For more information please contact hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242
Mapping The Impact of Welfare Reform and Universal Credit, With Your Own DataPolicy in Practice
Local authorities know that the impact of welfare reforms is going to be big, but they have no way of knowing the impact that future reforms like Universal Credit would have.
By running housing benefit data through Policy in Practice’s Universal Benefit Calculator they can understand the impact at an aggregate level as well as pin pointing exactly how each household is affected by welfare reforms.
Deven Ghelani, CEO of Policy in Practice and a director of the Welfare Reform Club, gave a webinar on this topic in July 2015.
Zoe Charlesworth, Head of Policy at Policy in Practice, spoke at the IRRV Virtual Annual Conference about those people who have struggled or missed out on support due to COVID-19 uncertainty.
The new COVID-19 schemes operate alongside means-tested benefits, pay different amounts and cater to different kinds of eligibility, resulting in a wide yet inequitable net of support. Zoe Charlesworth presents analysis by Policy in Practice that looked at over 2,500 individual cases of households who struggled with or missed out on support. Zoe will explore the characteristics of eight groups who you should watch out for as you advise residents, and a worked example of surplus earnings rules. Delegates learnt who missed out on support, what impact of COVID-19 support has had on inequality and, practically, who will need more guidance as their circumstances change.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk
IRRV virtual conference 2020: COVID-19 who has fallen between the gaps?Policy in Practice
In October 2020 Zoe Charlesworth, Head of Policy Operations presented to IRRV Annual Conference and Exhibition attendees on COVID-19: Who has fallen between the gaps?
Watch the full presentation: www.policyinpractice.co.uk/IRRV-2020
For more information please visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk
Webinar: How to Future Proof Your CTRS scheme for Universal CreditPolicy in Practice
Despite greater flexibility to raise income, councils still have to make savings and ensure their budgets are spent as efficiently as possible.
In many councils the spotlight is on Council Tax to raise income and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) to make savings.
Council Tax Schemes have been locally designed since April 2013. While many still reflect the nationally administered Council Tax Benefit, we're starting to see greater innovation locally.
The driver of this innovation is the backdrop of the cumulative impact of past and future welfare reforms, the introduction of Universal Credit and ever tighter budgets.
CTRS schemes are intended to keep the most vulnerable citizens safe from poverty. Knowing who those people are is a huge challenge.
We've modelled options for future CTRS schemes in detail for various councils. The impact assessments are used to make informed policy decisions by officers and members.
View this webinar to learn how:
1. We accurately model the cost of CTRS schemes today
2. We accurately model the cost of CTRS schemes in the future, including under Universal Credit
3. We accurately model, compare and evaluate CTRS options under consideration
4. We provide evidenced based recommendations on which CTRS scheme best supports the strategy e. g. best fit for anti-poverty strategy while operating within financial constraints
5. What CTRS schemes we have created for North Hertfordshire, Leeds City and Newcastle City Councils
What will the 2019 Federal Budget announcement mean for you?netwealthInvest
Netwealth's Head of Technical Services, Keat Chew, analyses the 2019 Budget announcement to determine key action points for financial advisers and their clients.
Reimagine Debt. A tale of two councils: Reimagine Debt CollectionPolicy in Practice
Deven Ghelani, Director and Founder of Policy in Practice, spoke at the IRRV Virtual Annual Conference about the Cabinet Office's reimagine debt pilot scheme.
As COVID-19 continues to hit the financial resilience of many families councils are looking ahead to what this means for collection rates. With council tax arrears already at £3.5 billion pre-crisis, and forecast to reach nearly £5 billion by the end of parliament, councils will need to find new ways to maximise collections. Deven Ghelani spoke about how two councils identified which residents owed multiple debts to them, how they stabilised their incomes, and how they tracked the effectiveness of support. Attendees learnt how early intervention offers a proven approach for other councils to consider to prevent problem debt.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk
Policy in Practice present local initiatives to support vulnerable households...Policy in Practice
Policy in Practice present local initiatives to support vulnerable households to the Utility Sector.
-Make your social tariffs accessible through GOV.UK
-Give holistic support to vulnerable consumers
-Use data to provide more targeted support
The Apprenticeship Reform & its Implications on Colleges; by Teresa Frith The Pathway Group
A comprehensive report prepared by Teresa Frith of 'Association of Colleges'.
This document outlines the importance and purpose behind the 'apprenticeship reform' (changes made to apprenticeship funding), and the government's take on it all.
As well as providing information about the apprenticeship reform funding and processes, the implications the levy will have on colleges has also been explained.
With all of the changes going on in the pension world, pension plan sponsors want to better understand the recently updated mortality table and its impact for funding and accounting, further increases to PBGC premiums, extension of HATFA funding relief, and new granular accounting methodologies. This 45 minute Findley Davies recorded webinar will address the impact of these pension world changes on your organization as you make decisions for 2016.
Similar to Webinar: Council tax support Models that Members can sign up to (20)
Browse our webinar slides to learn how to influence central government policy development and get your frontline experiences heard. With Paul Howarth and Jake Love Soper.
A new Parliamentary term brings fresh opportunity to talk to decision-makers about the things that really matter.
We think it’s important that policy hears from practice. But we also know it can be hard for people on the front line to get their voice heard above the noise.
Our guest speakers spoke about how to influence central government policy development and get your frontline experiences heard. With Paul Howarth and Jake Love Soper.
For more details call 0330 088 9242
https://policyinpractice.co.uk/webinar-how-to-influence-central-government/
2020 has brought fundamental changes to our lives, both personally and professionally. As our economy took second place to our health, so the welfare safety net came to the fore to support families who faced an income shock, seemingly overnight.
In this webinar Deven Ghelani, Zoe Charlesworth, Paul Howarth and Duncan Hatfield looked back at the policy response to the seismic shifts in our economy and society wrought by the pandemic. We revisited the research findings we uncovered from our analysis for clients across both local and central government. And, as the focus turns to the health of our economy, we look at what 2021 means for people facing redundancy, debt or lower incomes.
Listen back to the webinar to hear:
- How well the COVID-19 welfare changes worked, and what should happen next
- How living standards changed this year, and what the future holds
- The outlook for 2021 and how organisations can best support families
Our policy experts will discuss our analysis and what this means in 2021 for council tax support schemes, housing and homelessness demand, the outlook for living standards in the context of economic recovery, Universal Credit and Brexit.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242.
Deven Ghelani was invited to talk about the the impact of the benefit cap through the use of administrative data at a webinar organised by the University of York on Thursday 26 November 2020.
He was joined by a range of speakers, Dr Kitty Stewart, LSE and Dr Donald Hirsch, Loughborough University and Claire Hall, Child Poverty Action Group, to name but a few.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242.
Current Challenges and the Future Direction of Social Security ReformPolicy in Practice
Westminster Insight’s timely Welfare Reform Forum explored how to process the huge upsurge in claims, improving advice for those dealing with immediate cash flow problems, changing assessment processes to safeguard claimants, identifying people falling through gaps in the system and supporting the most vulnerable people financially affected by the pandemic.
Zoe's keynote address covered:
- The implications of the Government’s response to COVID 19 on the social security system
- Improving system design, delivery, flexibility and speed to support people in times of crisis
- Ensuring the social security system can weather the longer-term effects of the crisis
- Creating a person-centred, holistic and supportive social security system
In today’s economic climate falling into debt is perilously easy, getting out is hard. Firms in the debt sector have adopted flexible and ethical collection practices to support families who are struggling, yet costs and the time taken to collect have increased.
This Policy in Practice webinar featured guest speakers Carole Kenney, Director, Welfare and Customer Care, Gareth McNab, Social Inclusion Lead, Nationwide Building Society who spoke alongside Zoe Charlesworth, Director of Policy and Operations, Policy in Practice, and Sarah Lambert, Affordability Assessment Manager, Policy in Practice.
Whether you’re a collection agency, utility company, advice organisation, local authority or housing association, you’re on the frontline for helping people in debt.
You can boost the financial resilience of households by helping them to increase their income. In this way, you can increase collection rates and social impact, in the knowledge that you’re doing the right thing.
In this webinar we discussed:
- How COVID-19 has already hit people’s incomes, and what’s in store
- Who the newly vulnerable households are
- How to reduce existing arrears and the chance of a customer falling into arrears
- How to minimise the cost of debt collection
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242
The Future of the Welfare State: Universal Credit, Furlough Schemes and Other...Policy in Practice
Deven Ghelani was invited to talk about the effectiveness of Universal Credit and the social policies introduced in the light of COVID-19 at this conference by Public Policy Exchange on Thursday 1 October 2020.
He joined speakers Debbie Abrahams MP, Steve McCabe MP, Dr Sophie Wickham and Dr Guy Standing.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242.
Sarah Lambert, Affordability Assessment Manager, Policy in Practice, delivered this presentation to the Money Advice Liason Group (MALG) Virtual summit on Thursday 29 October.
Over 20 million of us don’t have the necessary skills to effectively manage our money and 11.5 million of us have less than £100 in savings.
With predictions of widespread unemployment and an expected tsunami of people needing debt advice and support during the coming months and years, this session explored the innovative new tools and approaches that will help organisations to improve the financial capability of customers, increase the financial resilience of customers and engage customers earlier.
Sarah Lambert from Policy in Practice discussed research and initiatives we've developed, including our award winning Benefit and Budgeting Calculator, to support organisations to get ahead of the curve.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242.
AIM: Data protection, data governance, data managementPolicy in Practice
Tues 29 Sept: Deven Ghelani spoke with Paul Withers, DPO for Walsall Council, about our lessons so far from a powerful new project backed by the LGA and NHS digital to link data across adult services, children's services, public health, the NHS and police. Good data science relies upon access to good data, and we spoke about focusing on impact to win over stakeholders, actively raising and resolving data governance concerns upfront, and how the basics of good data management (security, data cleaning, data linking) are harder and more important than the 'sexy' data science that this project will become known for.
For more information email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242
Councils are looking ahead to what COVID-19 means for collection rates, people’s ability to pay, and whether their council tax support schemes can cope with increased demand.
Zoe and Megan share key findings of three new reports:
- An 18 month project working with 22 Welsh local authorities for the Welsh Government on Universal Credit, council tax reduction scheme and rent arrears in Wales Reports for the Greater London
- Authority on the impact of the Coronavirus Hardship Fund, and on the impact that a flexible approach to collections has on collection rates Analysis for the Cabinet Office on the effectiveness of an early intervention approach to managing arrears in two councils, Newcastle and Barking and Dagenham Council tax arrears were already £3.5 billion pre-crisis and are forecast to reach nearly £5 billion by the end of parliament.
Zoe Charlesworth examines what the worsening financial crisis means for council’s collection rates, budget setting and council tax support schemes, and will look at efforts across central and local government to improve how council tax debt is recovered.
Jade Alsop, Commercial Director at Policy in Practice, spoke at Housemark's Ten Days of Data festival about embedding a data driven culture within organisations such as housing providers, local authorities and others.
Commitment to embrace data-driven decision making is needed at all levels of an organisation to realise the full value of insights. At this event Jade joined the speaker panel with Charlotte Carpenter from Karbon Homes and Colin Sales from 3C Consultants to explore how to lead by example to ensure what we do, say and ask, fosters a data-driven culture and embeds the use of data across an organisation.
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk
At the Government Data Science Festival 2020 Deven Ghelani, Director and Founder of Policy in Practice, joined Paul Withers, Data Protection Manager for Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, to present a case study of data science in local government.
Deven and Paul introduced the Active Intervention Management (AIM) project to the audience of local government data and digital officers. AIM is one of three Social Care Digital Innovation (SCDIA) 2020/21 projects that's run by CC2i on behalf of the Local Government Association with match funding from NHS Digital.
AIM uses basic level data to identify potential vulnerabilities and support the improvement of early intervention services. Organisations from fire and rescue, children's services and police authorities are all taking part in AIM.
For more information contact Deven Ghelani via deven@policyinpractice.co.uk or Paul Withers via paul.withers@walsall.gov.uk. Alternatively contact hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242.
Identifying people at risk of homelessness is a key priority for all local authorities. Deven Ghelani, Director and founder of Policy in Practice was invited to present to the Housing and Homelessness Needs group of London Councils on Friday 11 September 2020.
In his presentation to Deven covered the following agenda:
- Uncertainty: The outlook for the end of furlough and 2021
- The impact of COVID-19 to date: Data from 20 London BoroughsHousing affordability – who is at risk of homelessness
- The future outlook: Caseload, financial resilience and service demand
- Insight into action
For more details and to discuss how Policy in Practice can help your local authority to identify vulnerability, target support and track change using data please contact 020 3239 5579 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk.
The future is uncertain and recovery will be tough. It’s difficult to make projections about what the policy landscape will look like, what the wider economic trends will be and what will happen to different groups of people.
But we need to make projections to see implications for demand for council support and services, and indebtedness.
Listen back to hear:
- Key findings from our rapid-response COVID-19 analysis for the Greater London Authority
- How a new approach to real-time analytics can support councils with their economic and social recovery plan
- What our new future modelling analysis is predicting for both household and council finances
Roundtable - Who are the most vulnerable residents in London?Policy in Practice
Local authorities have stepped up in the fight against Coronavirus. As the lockdown lifts and our thoughts turn to recovery, proactively identifying and targeting support to those who need help most, using all of the insights available, has never been more important.
In this roundtable, hosted by Policy in Practice, we discussed who the most vulnerable residents in London are, both now and in the future.
We shared the latest analysis from our data-led investigation into the causes and consequences of poverty in London, supported by Trust for London.
We also revealed findings from our research for the Greater London Authority on how different welfare support policies have impacted London's poorest households.
We explored what the findings mean for London's local authorities and how services may need to change to proactively safeguard the wellbeing of London's residents.
Listen back to learn about:
- The financial situation of London's residents before COVID-19
- How an Innovate UK backed project can local authorities a real-time view of living standards now
- Which households will be most vulnerable in 2021, how this will impact council finances, and actions councils can take to mitigate the impact on residents
- Findings from research for GLA into the impacts of COVID-19 on low-income Londoners and best practice in flexible collection practices
Our Trust for London supported project will continue for another six months so councils who have not yet taken part still have time to do so. Email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242for details.
Many self-employed people will receive a grant through the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) this month. These payments can be up to £7,500 and will be counted as earnings under Universal Credit.
As a result, lots of self-employed households will be affected by the complex 'surplus earnings' rules for the first time. In short, these rules mean that for many households, the SEISS money will be taken into account as earnings not just for the month it was received, but for future months as well.
Welfare advisors need to understand the rules, and need a tool that can calculate eligibility all in one place, in order to advise people what their Universal Credit payments will be, and when they need to reclaim.
Hear from Sue McCarron from Citizens Advice Wirral who shared how frontline staff have supported customers facing with fluctuating income using the Benefit and Budgeting Calculator.
Review the slide to learn:
- A simple guide to the SEISS, Universal Credit and surplus earnings rules
- Worked examples to illustrate the challenge, and what to look out for
- How our Benefit and Budgeting Calculator helps
Is your post COVID-19 Council Tax Support Scheme sustainable?Policy in Practice
The £500 million Hardship Fund allows councils to give extra support to help people affected by Coronavirus. Councils are expected to use this welcome funding to reduce the council tax bills of working-age people who are already receiving council tax support, by £150 in 2020/21.
In this webinar, Zoe Charlesworth presented new nationwide analysis on the Hardship Fund allocations and discussed what this means for collection rates. Megan Mclean explored what this means for those who become newly unemployed, as well as CTR support schemes. Finally, Deven Ghelani looked at what councils can do now to proactively support people.
Review the slides to learn:
- How the Hardship Fund and council tax collection rates interact
- What the future looks like, and how you can plan for future vulnerability
- How to identify the most vulnerable households in your area so you can target additional support
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has made life tough for people who are scared for their health and their finances. It’s also brought huge pressure to frontline organisations who are there to help.
In this webinar we are joined by Ellie Kershaw, Tower Hamlets and Grant Bailey, Cheltenham Borough Homes to discuss how they are dealing with the current changes, and how the crisis now will affect their residents in the future.
We explore how services may need to change and how organisations can be proactive now to safeguard their residents’ wellbeing.
Review the slides to learn:
- How other organisations are helping people deal with Coronavirus
- Ideas to consider that can drive a proactive, prevention approach
- Best practice for dealing with increased demand with limited resources
Recap of the major benefits changes and Coronavirus (COVID-19)Policy in Practice
As new measures to control Coronavirus (COVID-19) are introduced Policy in Practice's Head of Policy, Zoe Charlesworth, summarises the major changes to the welfare system.
As part of the support we've been providing we’ve answered hundreds of questions from people worried about the impact of Coronavirus on their income. Zoe shares of the common themes emerging and our thoughts on policy changes that could help. Zoe also shares highlights from the analysis we've done to show the impact of the new measures and how they will help households hit by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Review the slides to learn:
- What benefits people in different situations might get
- How to get the most support for families and households
- Common questions people are asking, and our answers
- What the impact of the 3 main changes mean for households
As new measures to control Coronavirus (COVID-19) are introduced, Policy in Practice was joined by RedQuadrant to discuss how data analytics can identify people who are most highly impacted by the virus, and the best way to engage with those of us who are most vulnerable.
Review the slides to learn:
- What policy measures have been put in place to protect people
- Who is vulnerable: The three main groups
- How you can best identify vulnerable people
- How you can best engage with vulnerable people
The most underclaimed benefits and how to drive take upPolicy in Practice
We know that £10 billion of benefits go unclaimed each year by people who are eligible for them but not receiving them. Some households aren’t claiming support that could be worth thousands of pounds each year to them.
In this webinar we showcased innovative work councils are doing to encourage take-up of some of the most unclaimed benefits, and heard how this can lead to wider conversations that build financial resilience.
View these slides to learn:
- Which income-related benefits are most underclaimed
- One council’s work to drive up pension credit and tax credit claims
- How to determine the ROI of intervention campaigns so you know what works
- How software can help to identify vulnerability, target support and track change
For more information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or call 0330 088 9242
As Europe's leading economic powerhouse and the fourth-largest hashtag#economy globally, Germany stands at the forefront of innovation and industrial might. Renowned for its precision engineering and high-tech sectors, Germany's economic structure is heavily supported by a robust service industry, accounting for approximately 68% of its GDP. This economic clout and strategic geopolitical stance position Germany as a focal point in the global cyber threat landscape.
In the face of escalating global tensions, particularly those emanating from geopolitical disputes with nations like hashtag#Russia and hashtag#China, hashtag#Germany has witnessed a significant uptick in targeted cyber operations. Our analysis indicates a marked increase in hashtag#cyberattack sophistication aimed at critical infrastructure and key industrial sectors. These attacks range from ransomware campaigns to hashtag#AdvancedPersistentThreats (hashtag#APTs), threatening national security and business integrity.
🔑 Key findings include:
🔍 Increased frequency and complexity of cyber threats.
🔍 Escalation of state-sponsored and criminally motivated cyber operations.
🔍 Active dark web exchanges of malicious tools and tactics.
Our comprehensive report delves into these challenges, using a blend of open-source and proprietary data collection techniques. By monitoring activity on critical networks and analyzing attack patterns, our team provides a detailed overview of the threats facing German entities.
This report aims to equip stakeholders across public and private sectors with the knowledge to enhance their defensive strategies, reduce exposure to cyber risks, and reinforce Germany's resilience against cyber threats.
Show drafts
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Empowering the Data Analytics Ecosystem: A Laser Focus on Value
The data analytics ecosystem thrives when every component functions at its peak, unlocking the true potential of data. Here's a laser focus on key areas for an empowered ecosystem:
1. Democratize Access, Not Data:
Granular Access Controls: Provide users with self-service tools tailored to their specific needs, preventing data overload and misuse.
Data Catalogs: Implement robust data catalogs for easy discovery and understanding of available data sources.
2. Foster Collaboration with Clear Roles:
Data Mesh Architecture: Break down data silos by creating a distributed data ownership model with clear ownership and responsibilities.
Collaborative Workspaces: Utilize interactive platforms where data scientists, analysts, and domain experts can work seamlessly together.
3. Leverage Advanced Analytics Strategically:
AI-powered Automation: Automate repetitive tasks like data cleaning and feature engineering, freeing up data talent for higher-level analysis.
Right-Tool Selection: Strategically choose the most effective advanced analytics techniques (e.g., AI, ML) based on specific business problems.
4. Prioritize Data Quality with Automation:
Automated Data Validation: Implement automated data quality checks to identify and rectify errors at the source, minimizing downstream issues.
Data Lineage Tracking: Track the flow of data throughout the ecosystem, ensuring transparency and facilitating root cause analysis for errors.
5. Cultivate a Data-Driven Mindset:
Metrics-Driven Performance Management: Align KPIs and performance metrics with data-driven insights to ensure actionable decision making.
Data Storytelling Workshops: Equip stakeholders with the skills to translate complex data findings into compelling narratives that drive action.
Benefits of a Precise Ecosystem:
Sharpened Focus: Precise access and clear roles ensure everyone works with the most relevant data, maximizing efficiency.
Actionable Insights: Strategic analytics and automated quality checks lead to more reliable and actionable data insights.
Continuous Improvement: Data-driven performance management fosters a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
Sustainable Growth: Empowered by data, organizations can make informed decisions to drive sustainable growth and innovation.
By focusing on these precise actions, organizations can create an empowered data analytics ecosystem that delivers real value by driving data-driven decisions and maximizing the return on their data investment.
Data Centers - Striving Within A Narrow Range - Research Report - MCG - May 2...pchutichetpong
M Capital Group (“MCG”) expects to see demand and the changing evolution of supply, facilitated through institutional investment rotation out of offices and into work from home (“WFH”), while the ever-expanding need for data storage as global internet usage expands, with experts predicting 5.3 billion users by 2023. These market factors will be underpinned by technological changes, such as progressing cloud services and edge sites, allowing the industry to see strong expected annual growth of 13% over the next 4 years.
Whilst competitive headwinds remain, represented through the recent second bankruptcy filing of Sungard, which blames “COVID-19 and other macroeconomic trends including delayed customer spending decisions, insourcing and reductions in IT spending, energy inflation and reduction in demand for certain services”, the industry has seen key adjustments, where MCG believes that engineering cost management and technological innovation will be paramount to success.
MCG reports that the more favorable market conditions expected over the next few years, helped by the winding down of pandemic restrictions and a hybrid working environment will be driving market momentum forward. The continuous injection of capital by alternative investment firms, as well as the growing infrastructural investment from cloud service providers and social media companies, whose revenues are expected to grow over 3.6x larger by value in 2026, will likely help propel center provision and innovation. These factors paint a promising picture for the industry players that offset rising input costs and adapt to new technologies.
According to M Capital Group: “Specifically, the long-term cost-saving opportunities available from the rise of remote managing will likely aid value growth for the industry. Through margin optimization and further availability of capital for reinvestment, strong players will maintain their competitive foothold, while weaker players exit the market to balance supply and demand.”
3. A team of
professionals
with extensive
knowledge of the
welfare system
who are
passionate about
making social
policy work
We help local
authorities use
their household
level data to
identify
vulnerable
households,
target support
and track their
interventions
We develop
engaging software
that helps people
to increase their
income, reduce
their costs and
helps them to
build their
financial
resilience
4. Today’s speakers
Zoe Charlesworth
Head of Policy
Policy in Practice
Allan Clark
Revenue and Benefits Manager
Barnet Council
Megan Mclean
Policy and Operations Analyst
Policy in Practice
5. Agenda
• Background to Council Tax Reduction schemes
• Significant issues to consider when changing
• Why Barnet Council wanted to changed its Council Tax Reduction scheme
• How Barnet Council involved their Members in their scheme change
• What we model when looking at CTR schemes, and why
6. 666
Poll: What would your Member's main
objective be if you were changing your
CTR scheme?
9. Council Tax Support is significant
Findings from IFS: The impacts of localised council tax support schemes,
2019
● Paid to 4.9 million households in 2017–18
– more than any other means tested payment
● It cost LAs £4.1 billion
- 11% of gross council tax bills
● 2.4 million working-age claimants
- £1.8 billion
- average award for those claimants of £770 per year
Source: IFS The impacts of localised council tax support schemes https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/13827
10. Where are we now?
• 90% of English councils made changes to their CTS scheme by 2018– 19:
- almost all of them cuts
- up from 82% in 2013–14
• The most widespread change is the introduction of minimum council tax payments:
- most common level of minimum payment is 20%
- a fifth of councils have no minimum payment
- fifth have minimum payments of over 20%, (highest being 50%)
• In general, minimum payments have increased since 2013-14
12. Where are we now?
Other changes
• Reducing capital limit (104
councils)
• Band caps (105 councils)
• Changing the taper rate (21
councils)
• Changes to non-dependant
deductions (94 councils)
• Protecting vulnerable groups
(113 councils)
• In practice, many LAs have
changed their schemes in
multiple ways
13. Implications for claimants
• Working-age households in England are now eligible for 24% less (£196 a year) on
average
• 1% of their income
• £706 million reduction in entitlements:
• Cuts are now 70% more than in 2013–14
• There are now 1.4 million households who have to pay some council tax who would
not have had to pay
• 63% must pay more than £100
• 33% must pay more than £200
• 10% pay more than £300
• Reducing a household’s CTS entitlement significantly increases the probability that it
reports being in arrears on its council tax
• CAB enquiries increased by 15-20% when minimum payments introduced, mostly
relating to council tax debt
14. Implications for collection / arrears
• A quarter of the additional council tax liability is not collected
• For council tax claimants this is 10 times higher than the 2.5% in 2012–13, before
the cuts to CTS
• The effect on the aggregate rate of non-collection is still relatively modest increasing
it from 2.5% to 2.7% on average
• Arrears twice as likely in those moving from zero payment to those increasing
payment
• previous research showed a jump at 14% and 25%
• Lone parents and renters are more likely than average to fall into council tax arrears
as a result of changes in support
15. Where are we going? Evaluating new scheme types
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2017/18 2018/19
Council Tax models 2017/18 to 2018/19
Amendments to default scheme Income-banded/discount
16. Where are we going? Change in response to UC
• Residents will need to re-assess income as they migrate to Universal Credit so
changes in Council Tax Support can be part of this
• A scheme to go alongside Universal Credit or to support those who are adversely
affected by Universal Credit
• The opportunity to use the Universal Credit assessment of income
• Realisation of the relative cost of administration against awards once Housing
Benefit is removed
• Re-assessments with monthly Universal Credit changes / RTI
17. Universal Credit roadmap
Direct payments to landlord to continue under UC,
if transferring from HB
End of UClive service
DEC2017
No new claims for UClive service after 01/01/18
UCadvances repayment period increases to 12 months
UCadvances increases to 100%of UCaward
JAN 2018
All claims migrated to UC
DEC2023
National Living Wage likely to rise to £8.80 p/hr
Housing benefit to 'run-on' for the first 2 weeks of UC
Payments for temporary accommodation improved
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) becomes a loan
National Living Wage set at £7.83 p/hr for over 25
Personal tax allowance up from £11,500 to £11,850
APRIL 2018
www.policyinpractice.co.uk
UNIVERSAL CREDIT ROADMAP
Details subject to change
Details correct at 20 Feb 2019
FEB2018
7day waiting period for UCabolished
2017
2018
2019
2020
2023
2018
2018
Mixed age couples must make new claims for UC
instead of Pension Credit
MAY2019
JULY2019
Self-employed familiies moving to UCwon’t be affected by
minimum income floor for the first 12 months of their claim.
Managed migration pilot will begin (starts in full end 2019)
2019
2019
2019
End of Full Service roll out
JAN 2019
New UCclaims for households with 2+
children
FEB2019
APRIL2019
NLW will increase to £8.21p/hr for over 25s
Personal tax allowance will increase to £12,500
Higher rate tax threshold will increase to £50,000
UCWork Allowances will increase by £1,000/year.
2019
APRIL 2020
18. Where are we going? Key concerns of Members
• Cost
• administration
• payment
• Impact on collection rates
• Fairness
• Schemes fitting within overarching council objectives
• Supporting the aims of UC or mitigating against loss under UC
• Elections
22. Council Tax Support Schemes
Allan Clark MSc, FIRRV, MCMI
Revenues and Benefit Manager
London Borough of
Barnet
Our approach to a
revised scheme
23.
24. Drivers for change…
• To tackle the increased administration owing to frequency of UC
notices.
• To provide opportunity for better collection levels by reducing the
monthly rebilling for those on UC.
• To simplify the scheme for officers and citizens.
• To reduce the overall scheme costs.
25. Process, Timeline & Member Engagement
• March 2018 – Full Council approved the Medium Term Financial Strategy which included a £2m
saving on CTRS.
• June 2018 – Policy and Resource Committee considered revised financial position.
• June 2018 to September 2018 – Further savings considered across council.
• August 2018 – Policy in Practice provides 4 CTRS models.
• September 2018 – Revised financial position highlights a required £3.2m savings to be found from
CTRS. PinP asked to provide a further model.
• October 2018 – Urgency Committee asked to consider models and approve consultation.
• October 2018 – Consultation begins.
• December 2018 – PinP asked to provide further modelling following end of consultation.
• December 2018 – Policy and Resources Committee agree proposed scheme and onward referral to
Full Council for approval. They also approve changes to our combined DHP and DCTH Policy.
• January 2019 – Full Council agree revised scheme.
27. Adopted Scheme – April 2019
• Introduce an income banded scheme, based on earned income.
• Reduce the maximum capital limit to £6,000.
• Two non dependent deductions:
• Income under £200 per week = £5.00 deduction
• Income equal to or over £200 per week = £11.00 deduction
• Introduce a minimum income floor.
• No longer apply a disregard if paying child care costs.
28. Bands and Awards
Income Band
Discount off CT
liability
Earnings threshold
(monthly)
1 72.00% No earnings
2 52.00% <£500
3 44.00% £500.01-£800
4 36.00% £800.01-£1100
5 28.00% £1100.01-£1400
6 20.00% £1400.01-£1700
7 12.00% £1700.01-£2000
33. Your Housing Benefit /
Council Tax data
Our Benefit and Budgeting
Calculator
Rich, detailed impact
assessment: who is impacted
and by how much
Our approach to data analysis
We use administrative data capturing
detailed information on low income
households
We combine these datasets together
over time, and model policies across
four government departments
combined, to examine the impacts
both now and in the future
CTR support now and in a future
scenario, both under the current
system or under UC
34. 4 approaches to modelling CTR schemes
1. Do nothing
2. Make small tweaks
3. Income-banded schemes
4. Discount schemes
35. 1. Do nothing approach
• Shows council impact if nothing was changed, but the following occur:
• Council Tax Liabilities increase
• National Minimum Wage, Personal Tax Allowance increase
• XX% of households are migrated over to Universal Credit
• Rent prices, benefit rates increase
• “Not doing anything is the most radical thing you can do”
36. 2. Make small tweaks
Model the social and financial
impact of small tweaks,
including:
• Introducing band cap, capital
limit
• Changing max. support, taper
rate
• Reducing/removing non-
dependant deductions
• Introducing Minimum
Income Floor to all self-
employed
37. 3. Income-banded schemes
• Modelling the financial and social implications of
sorting households into set income bands, each
with corresponding discounts
• Building in protection for larger households through
different ways:
• Disregarded earnings or incomes (e.g. Child
Benefit, childcare element, housing element etc)
• Equivalising income – dividing by number of
household members
• Different bands for single people / couples with
children
• Reverse engineer income bands, and levels of
discount for each, to keep scheme cost-neutral or to
make savings
38. 4. Discount schemes
• Like income-banded schemes (not repeating assessment) but looking at basic
household circumstances only
• Avoid having to add up incomes for every household
• Households sorted into small number of bands, for example:
• Above, use of work allowance (which varies by household type) means larger
households not penalised
• Earnings level set to prevent large numbers gaining eligibility
• Reverse-engineering to find discounts that keep cost same.
Band Criteria % discount
Band 1 households on UC and not earning 90%
Band 2 households on UC and earning below work
allowance
70%
Band 3 households on UC and earning above work
allowance
50%
41. See social and political impacts
On different economic groups On different tenures
42. Conclusion
Universal Credit is coming and the status quo will not be neutral
The best scheme for a local authority will depend on:
• Demographics
• Current scheme
• Political climate
• Members’ objectives and local priorities
The effectiveness of your scheme can only be understood through detailed cost and
social impact analysis
44. Next steps
Download Council Tax Support Schemes flyer
Download the Universal Credit Roadmap
Follow up email with this recording and slides, with links
Short 5 question survey now:
• We value your feedback
• Ask questions or clarifications
• Request a more in depth look at our CTR modelling
• Auto sign up to our next webinar: Using data analytics to understand child
vulnerability, Wed 17 April
What would your Member's main objective be if you were changing your CTR scheme?
Reduce cost of the scheme i.e. cost of the benefit/discount
Reduce administrative costs for the authority
Reduce (or avoid increasing) arrears & cost of collection
Align support with Universal Credit
Reduce poverty and inequality
How actively involved would your Members be in your CTR scheme design?
From the start when objectives are set
From the start and at key points throughout
Only at the end when a final decision is required
Are you planning to change your CTR scheme soon?
Yes, for implementation in 2020 - 2021
Yes, for implementation in 2021-2022
Yes, but not in the near future
No
Governments may know how one policy affects many people. We can show how all policies combined affect one person.
We work with household level data from over 40 different local authorities to
Welfare reforms we model, and how accurate we are.
Highlight box over private tenants
Highlight box over self employed