Spring Statement Sparks Concerns over Welfare Cuts and Public Service Viability The UK government’s recent Spring Statement, delivered amid warnings of economic uncertainty, has prompted serious concern among local government leaders and policy experts. As outlined during the Independent R&B Discussion Group on 31 March 2025, the policy direction—particularly in relation to welfare reform and…
Category: Inflation
The Impending End of the Household Support Fund: A Crisis for Families on Low Incomes and Local Economies
As the UK grapples with the economic aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation, and a turbulent global economy, the impending end of the Household Support Fund (HSF) presents a looming crisis for families on low incomes and local economies across the country. The £820 million hardship scheme, administered by local councils, has been a…
Monday Discussion Group 8/1/24 — Money, money, money
We returned this week with a great discussion where we looked at the recent Resolution Foundation briefing note for the Health Foundation that looks at pressures on family pay, prices, and properties and the corresponding burdens on it brings to local authority budgets. There is a cyclic pressure of more hard-pressed families turning to equally…
Jan 1 2024 Revenues and Benefits Update Pack
Happy New Year. I wanted to drop you a quick message during our holiday break. I’ve prepared a pack with the latest updates on revenues and benefits, covering what’s been happening with council finances and recent developments from the last couple of weeks. There’s some positive news about the funding settlement, although it still doesn’t…
Autumn Statement In a nutshell
Regarding benefits, there is a 6.7 percent increase, aligning with September’s inflation figures. This translates to an average enhancement of £470 for approximately 5.5 million households. Originally, ministers contemplated utilizing October’s inflation figure of 4.6 percent, potentially saving £3 billion but adversely impacting nine million households amidst the escalating cost of living. In addition, LHA…
Monday Discussion Group 20th November 2023 Veterans, Inflation and Rent CVs
In our Monday meeting, we had an insightful discussion about the Veteran’s Support Scheme, initiated by Robert Fox. It was interesting to note that this topic hadn’t been addressed previously. Our conversation revealed an overlooked demographic in our data analysis. We identified several existing veteran support initiatives, notably at the county level, yet observed a…
The UK Inflation Landscape: A Fragile Equilibrium and Looming Energy Bill Concerns
The UK’s inflation scenario presents a complex picture of stability amidst volatility, marked by continued price rises at a consistent rate and significant contributions from persistent high petrol and diesel costs. Notably, for the first time since September 2021, food and non-alcoholic drink prices have shown a decrease, including specific declines in the prices of…
Monday Discussion: What to Cut?
In our discussion last Monday, we delved into the ongoing budget reductions in revenues and benefits services. We also touched upon council tax settings and the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme. The financial strain on councils, though not entirely unprecedented, is now at a peak. A combination of reduced government support, the aftermath of COVID-19,…
Analyzing August 2023 Inflation Data: A Comparative Study of CPIH and CPI
Introduction Inflation remains a significant topic of economic and political discussions, as it can impact various aspects of a nation’s well-being. In this article, we provide a cautious examination of the inflation rates of CPIH (Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs) and CPI (Consumer Prices Index) for August 2023. We also look into…
Monday 4/9/23 Discussion Group – Segmentation, CTR & Budget Constraints
I am pleased to announce that following a brief hiatus in August, the Monday Discussion Group reconvened on September 4th. Our session featured two principal topics that naturally coalesced into a unified discussion. We initially explored the topic of cost-of-living segmentation, drawing on research published by Which? Magazine. Our conversation evolved into an inquiry into…