Good day to you
In Monday’s Discussion Group, we talked about two things. The turmoil in the banking system highlights the risk of small tech start-ups. Small suppliers often provide satellite support to the main revenues and benefits back-office systems. Doing all kind of additional functions often relating to data collection and automation. Silicon Valley Bank’s UK branch has a third of UK innovative tech companies as customers. Including some big companies such as Moonpig, Naked Wines and THG. None of which are used to deliver Council Tax or Benefits, but it makes a point of how wide the danger was.
We also talked about how Universal Credit’s changed or didn’t change from its original conception. We also talked about whether the rumoured childcare changes would complicate UC.
Several childcare reports this week looked at the state of the nation, and a new report from Policy in Practice arrived as I was writing this note. All are attached.
Next Monday Paul Howarth will take the lead with input from Gareth Morgan, and the panel at how the Budget will affect Revenues and Benefits. Also, Alex Clegg, will talk about putting the ‘Universal’ back in Universal Credit.
I also point you towards the latest blog from “Benefits in the Future”: “Automating Benefits – A Reality Check… and a Proposal”.
Four benefit calculator companies, EntitledTo, Ferret, Policy in Practice, and InBest have asked you to provide them with copies of your 2023/24 Council Tax Scheme. This is to know how the schemes have changed, so they can update their online calculators. To make things easier there is a simple form to do this: https://bit.ly/CTR2324. One form for all four calculators.
Do not forget there is still time to get your CTR scheme redrafted into clear and simple language and orders before the end of March will get a 20% discount. Contact malcolm@visionarynetwork.co.uk.
The recording: https://bit.ly/VNIRBDG230313
The slide pack is attached along with reports and documents of note.
Here is the link to the WhatsApp group: https://bit.ly/3Qjrkqe
Please note: the slide pack holds additional slides covering other items of interest in the news and job adverts which are supplied in partnership by Business Smart (https://www.businesssmartsolutions.co.uk/).