This week, our Monday Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group had an important discussion about two connected issues. First, we talked about the job market. Paul Howarth shared insights about changes in how the Office of National Statistics (ONS) collects and reports on job market data and what it means for us. The key point to…
Category: Economics
Monday 23/10/23 Credit Unions
This week, our Monday Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group had a great conversation about the fantastic work being done by the Bradford District Credit Union and its partners, including the Revenues and Benefits team at Bradford Council. Ian Brewer from BDCU led the discussion, and it covered a wide range of topics. One key point…
Monday 9/10/23 Discussion: Conferences
In this week’s Monday Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group, our conversation circled around conferences and their evolving relevance and impact. We pondered upon several key questions: What are we really seeking from conferences? Beyond being a venue for an engaging party, do they foster meaningful discussions and propagate best practices effectively? Are they keeping pace…
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,…
Monday Discussion Regarding the State of Fraud Risks
In our recent Monday discussion group, we delved into the question of whether fraud has become a diminished risk, warranting less concern than in previous years. This intriguing subject sparked a comprehensive dialogue, enriched by the examination of contemporary statistical data. The figures indicate a moderate decrease in various forms of fraud—including benefit, insurance, and…
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…
The Escalating Crisis of Homeless Relocations: Why Councils Need to Rethink Their Strategies
A Crisis Bigger Than We Thought Recent data unearthed by a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, backed by research from Nottingham University and The Guardian, has set off alarm bells across England. The issue at hand is the concerning rate at which councils are relocating homeless families—often hundreds of miles away from their original homes….
The UK Housing Market: Resilience Amid Challenges, but at What Cost?
A Look into the Pressure Points of the UK Housing Sector Subdued Prices and Market Resilience The UK housing market has displayed resilience amid economic challenges. According to Kim Kinnaird, Director of Halifax Mortgages, the market saw a modest dip of 0.3% in July, which is the fourth consecutive monthly decrease. Despite these drops, house…
Local Councils on the Brink: Unveiling the Crisis in UK Local Government Funding
Summary A BBC investigation has sounded the alarm about the escalating budget crisis in local councils across the UK. With increasing deficits and diminishing funds for essential services, there is growing concern that local governments will be unable to meet the basic needs of their communities. Undermining the Tax Base Local authorities primarily depend on…