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 our conversation, we drew insights from two exceptional reports by our esteemed colleagues at Policy in Practice. In addition, we explored the intriguing findings on the £19 billion worth of unclaimed benefits, Donald Hirsch’s report on modern benefits adequacy, and an eye-opening Guardian report on poverty in Scotland. These valuable resources were compiled into a comprehensive slide pack, with one report already shared and the other available via the website link provided below.
The Influence of Modern Benefit Calculators:
In the midst of our discussion, we found it intriguing to examine the impact of modern Benefit Calculators on benefit accessibility. Notably, we explored the capabilities of various calculators such as Policy in Practice’s Lift product, EntitledTo, TurnToUs, Ferret, and InBest’s embedded calculator. These calculators play a crucial role in engaging individuals who access public social services, as well as those identified by private financial services. They are designed to encourage take-up of benefits, but there is a catch. As Paul Howarth aptly points out, citizens are only willing to share their personal financial details if they are comfortable doing so. Interestingly, this discomfort tends to be more prevalent among the older British population, who remain cautious about divulging such information. In contrast, the social media generation, known for their willingness to share intimate details with their followers (often accompanied by pictures), might have a different perspective.
Unveiling the Adequacy of Benefits:
The issue of benefit adequacy emerged as a critical topic during our workshop, prompting us to devote future sessions to its exploration. We found Donald Hirsch’s report on modern benefits adequacy to be particularly enlightening, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals relying on the current benefit system. As we delve deeper into this subject in the coming weeks, we anticipate uncovering valuable insights and potential avenues for improvement.
Conclusion:
As we bid adieu to the festive celebrations that have marked the past few weekends, it’s time to focus on matters of utmost importance. Our Monday Workshop resumed with an engaging discussion surrounding the review of take-up rates and the adequacy of benefits. Drawing on insightful reports by Policy in Practice, we examined the staggering amount of £19 billion in unclaimed benefits, Donald Hirsch’s analysis of modern benefits adequacy, and the Guardian’s poignant report on poverty in Scotland. Alongside these reports, we delved into the influence of modern Benefit Calculators on benefit accessibility, considering the willingness of individuals to share their financial details. The coming weeks promise further exploration of benefit adequacy, allowing us to dig deeper and discover potential avenues for improvement. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions and insights that will empower us to create a more equitable society.
Although it will be a while before you review your CTR scheme, it is worth considering redrafting it in clear and simple language. We will point out any areas where you might need to improve. For more information, please contact Malcolm at visionarynetwork.co.uk. During the process we will analyse your CTR scheme to make sure you’re completely comfortable with it so you’ll be in a better position to defend the scheme if it’s ever challenged.
The recording: https://bit.ly/VNIRBDG230515
The slide pack is attached links to the reports and tables mentioned in the slide pack and recording can be found at below.
Here is the link to our 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/).
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.