Last Monday, we had a comprehensive chat that started with our household budget and our plans for it over the next six months. We shared lots of ideas and opinions on this topic before shifting our focus to the new Council Tax rules for second homes and how different councils might react to these changes….
Month: March 2024
Risk Warning: Confidential Data and Intellectual Property Vulnerabilities Due to Generative AI Systems
Attention is drawn to the emerging and substantial risk associated with the inadvertent mining of confidential data and proprietary intellectual property stored within SharePoint by generative AI systems, including but not limited to ChatGPT and Copilot technologies. Generative AI systems, designed to optimize data processing and content generation, possess the capability to access, analyse, and…
The High-Income Parental Penalty: Navigating the Tax System’s Cliff Edge
In the landscape of Britain’s tax system, a stark financial challenge confronts working parents earning above £100,000. This demographic, according to economic experts, faces an “abomination” of financial penalties that starkly contradicts the principle of rewarding work. The root of this dilemma? A series of policy decisions that strip away vital financial supports—such as free…
Monday Discussion Group 11/3/24: Budget 2024 Key Elements for Revenues and Benefits– Visionary Network
Last Monday, we discussed key elements from the 2024 budget announcement and how they may impact Local Authorities, specifically the Revenues and Benefits departments. Paul Howarth provided an excellent summary, which you can find in the recording, and there is additional information in the slide pack, plus links to key documents on our website. My…
Monday Discussion Group 4/3/24: DHP Survey results & Rising ill Health in Young People
Hi everyone, Last Monday, we had a discussion about the latest DHP survey results reported this week, which didn’t really surprise anyone. Still, everyone agreed it’s good to have those findings clearly laid out. It’s worth mentioning, though, that this survey was done a few years back. Despite that, it made a solid case for…
Analysing the Fiscal Path: Insights from Jeremy Hunt’s Recent Remarks on UK Government Policies
Introduction In a recent discourse by Jeremy Hunt, a comprehensive overview was provided regarding the fiscal and policy directions of the UK government. This discussion brings to light the government’s intentions through a range of budget proposals focusing on local taxation, benefits, and overall economic strategies. Let’s delve into these key areas to understand their…
The Role of Ascendant Solutions and Smarter Demo in Local Government
Ascendant Solutions: Richard Handy’s discussion highlighted how local councils are leveraging Ascendant’s products to streamline processes for applications for support, grants, and services. The mention of a “data lake” used by Barnsley is particularly noteworthy. Data lakes allow for the storage of vast amounts of raw data in its native format. This approach enables councils…