The UK government has recently announced changes to the Universal Credit childcare policy, which will allow parents to claim increased amounts to cover childcare costs. While this may sound like a positive development, there are underlying risks and challenges that need to be addressed. In this blog, we will explore the potential risks associated with…
Month: May 2023
UK Government Outsourcing: Rewarding Corporate Misconduct?
How does the UK government reward companies that violate regulations and face more than £500m in fines? It outsources essential public services to them. Let’s call it out as it is. Recent analysis by the Observer has unearthed a shocking revelation: the UK government, in its outsourcing endeavors, has not just been kind but alarmingly…
Unmasking the DWP’s War on the Vulnerable: A Deceptive Fight Against Benefits Fraud
Introduction: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new “fraud plan” that claims to tackle benefits fraud head-on. However, behind their aggressive public service announcement lies a long-standing tradition of demonising those in need. This hard-hitting blog sheds light on the dark reality of the DWP’s tactics and the consequences they have…
Council Tax Reduction Schemes: Trends, Variations and the Power of Technology
This past Monday, we plunged into an insightful discussion about EntitledTo’s annual review on council tax reduction (CTR) schemes. Karen Holmes, a notable figure from E2, expertly steered the conversation, with a host of panellists offering valuable insights. Three key takeaways emerged from the review: The latter point sparked a vibrant debate. Paul Howarth and…
The Financial Challenges Scottish Councils Face: A Call for Reform
Introduction Scottish councils have been grappling with financial challenges exacerbated by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Despite increases in council funding, a recent report from the Accounts Commission reveals that the majority of this money has been ring-fenced and lacks the necessary flexibility. As a result, councils face significant pressure to deliver balanced budgets while meeting…
Misallocated Covid-19 Grants: Recovery Challenges
Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented challenges for governments worldwide. As part of their response, councils in the UK disbursed a staggering £22.6 billion in grants to support businesses. However, it has come to light that an estimated £1.1 billion of these grants were paid out wrongly. Unfortunately, the recovery of these misallocated funds…
Private Rented Sector Reforms and Renters’ Reform Bill: Improving Housing Security for Tenants
Introduction: The private rented sector in England is home to a staggering 11 million renters. However, issues such as no-fault evictions and antisocial behavior have created a challenging environment for tenants. In an effort to address these concerns, the government has proposed significant reforms through the Renters’ Reform Bill. This blog post will delve into…
Unclaimed Benefits and the Quest for Adequacy: Exploring Modern Benefit Calculators
Introduction: After a whirlwind of holiday celebrations, Eurovision excitement, and well-deserved partying, it’s time to refocus our attention on pressing matters. It has been a few weeks since our last Monday Workshop session, and today we delved into a thought-provoking discussion centred around the review of take-up rates and the adequacy of benefits. To enrich…
Analysing the March 2023 GDP Report: Mixed Performances Across Sectors
The latest monthly report on the real gross domestic product (GDP) for March 2023 has revealed a decrease of 0.3%, following a stagnant February. While the overall growth in the three months leading up to March is a modest 0.1%, it’s essential to delve into the sector-specific performances to understand the broader economic landscape. In…