Correction from previous newsletter: Gareth Morgan noted that in Wales, financial awareness training was available to help train advisors. See https://www.dangos.wales/
The Independent R&B Discussion Group convened on 17 February 2025, bringing together experts and professionals to discuss pressing issues, including the effectiveness of mobile job centres, the crackdown on rogue landlords, and the challenges in supported accommodation funding. Hosted by @malcolm Gardner, the session featured contributions from key industry voices, including Gareth Morgan, @paul-howarth, Naomi Armstrong, Kim Larkin, and Sean O’Sullivan.
Mobile Job Centres: A New Strategy or a Gimmick?
One of the primary discussions centred around the government’s initiative to introduce mobile job centres, an effort aimed at increasing employment by bringing job opportunities directly to communities. However, the effectiveness of this approach was met with scepticism.
Gareth Morgan pointed out a fundamental flaw in the plan, stating that “very few jobs are found through job centres nowadays,” and that employers using job centres often face an influx of applicants who are applying simply to meet benefit conditions rather than genuinely seeking employment.
Paul Howarth echoed this sentiment, suggesting that while increasing accessibility is positive, “this feels like a gimmick rather than a meaningful employment solution.” Elizabeth Whitehead-Davies recalled past experiences with mobile employment initiatives, describing them as often ineffective and unwelcoming.
Kim Larkin suggested that a more effective strategy would be to partner with local employers actively hiring, making the initiative more targeted and outcome-driven.
Government Crackdown on Rogue Landlords
The government’s renewed focus on tackling rogue landlords and housing benefit abuse sparked a lively discussion, with participants questioning the feasibility of the proposed measures.
@kevin-stewart noted that similar initiatives have been introduced repeatedly over the years, yet issues persist due to local government resource constraints. Naomi Armstrong highlighted the difficulty of enforcement, stating that “it is not a benefit officer’s job to assess housing quality; environmental health and homelessness prevention teams should be involved.”
Paul Howarth raised a key concern: “Housing benefit is the tenant’s entitlement, not the landlord’s. Penalising landlords through benefit payments could inadvertently harm tenants rather than resolve the root issue.”
The Crisis in Supported Accommodation
One of the most in-depth discussions focused on the financial pressures surrounding supported accommodation, particularly exempt accommodation. Kim Larkin provided expert insight into the growing problem, explaining that “many providers rely entirely on housing benefit for funding, which was never its intended purpose.”
Sean O’Sullivan emphasised the financial burden on local authorities, particularly in London, where the cost of subsidising supported accommodation is spiralling. He called for a national database to track the costs of alternative accommodation, a proposal that Darren Smith and Kim Larkin confirmed is already in development and set for release in March.
Naomi Armstrong shared a local authority perspective, revealing that her council faces over £700,000 in annual subsidy losses, despite their supported housing providers being well-run and compliant. She criticised the system, calling the subsidy regime “perverse” and in desperate need of reform.
Gareth Morgan highlighted the wider implications, noting that bed blocking in the NHS—particularly in mental health and elderly care—further exacerbates the demand for supported housing.
Towards Solutions
While the discussions revealed systemic flaws, potential solutions were also explored. Kim Larkin advocated for clearer regulatory oversight, while Sean O’Sullivan stressed the importance of government intervention to prevent continued profiteering at the expense of local authorities. The forthcoming database on alternative accommodation costs was welcomed as a step in the right direction.
As Malcolm Gardner concluded, “A lot of this comes down to identifying the problem, but we need real solutions. The government is listening, but it’s not offering answers.”
The recording can be found at https://tinyurl.com/VNR250217.
Please note that the handout contains additional slides covering other items of interest in the news and job adverts, which are provided in partnership with Business Smart Solutions (https://www.businesssmartsolutions.co.uk/).