Independent Revenues & Benefits Monday Discussion Group10 November 2025 The latest Monday Discussion Group, chaired by Malcolm Gardner, explored pension credit take-up, changes to notional pension income rules, and the real impact of the new national minimum wage. Pension Credit Take-Up Gareth Morgan (Dangos Training) opened the session with analysis of new DWP data showing…
Category: General
Procurement Pain and Populism: Local Government Under Pressure
Independent R&B Monday Discussion Group – 20 October 2025 The latest Independent R&B discussion opened with Malcolm Gardner wryly noting that the week’s agenda looked like “a bit of a hodgepodge”—ranging from procurement headaches to welfare reform, the leaked Reform UK video from Kent, and the ever-growing fiscal squeeze on councils. Procurement: Avoidance, Waivers and…
Independent R&B Discussion Group back from conference
The Independent Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group met on 6 October 2025, where we covered everything from conferences and the new Trafford case to the joys of AI fraud investigators. Sadly, due to technical difficulties (otherwise known as Microsoft Teams doing whatever it pleases), the session wasn’t recorded. Honestly, every time I log in, Teams…
Independent R&B Discussion Group: System Costs and Equality Duties Highlighted in Trafford CTR Ruling
The Independent Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group on 22 September 2025 centred on the High Court’s decision to quash Trafford Council’s council tax reduction (CTR) scheme. While members acknowledged the unlawful process and flawed design, much of the debate focused on IT costs, equality duties and the limits of discretionary support. Chair Malcolm Gardner noted…
The Implications of Pat McFadden’s Appointment to Work, Pensions and Skills
The Appointment and Departmental Restructure Keir Starmer’s September 2025 reshuffle, following Angela Rayner’s resignation, created one of the most significant departmental shifts of his premiership. Pat McFadden MP (Wolverhampton South East) has been appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with an expanded remit that now also includes skills policy. This new “super-ministry” brings…
Mid-Break Highlights from the Independent Revenues & Benefits Discussion Group
1 September 2025 We’re on our summer pause, so instead of a live session this week we’ve shared the second mid-break slide pack. It’s a chance to catch up on what’s happening across revenues and benefits while we recharge. We’ll be back together on Monday 8 September. So, what’s inside this week’s pack? Plenty to…
Administrative Pressure, Discretionary Decline and Growing Gaps: R&B Group Wraps for the Summer
The Independent Revenues & Benefits Discussion Group convened for its final session before the summer break on 4 August 2025, bringing together a wide range of voices to reflect on the pressures facing local welfare, housing, and administrative systems. The group will return on Monday 8 September. Crisis and Resilience Fund: Discretionary in Name Only?…
Terminal Illness Exemption and Innovation Squads Under Scrutiny in R&B Discussion Group
The Independent Revenues & Benefits Discussion Group met on 21 July 2025 to reflect on two significant developments: the proposed council tax exemption for terminally ill residents and the government’s investment in local service “innovation squads.” Exempting the Terminally Ill: Well-Meaning but Misplaced? Malcolm Gardner opened the meeting by highlighting a campaign led by Marie…
Policy on the Hoof: Local Taxation and Welfare Reform Under the Microscope
Report from the Independent R&B Discussion Group – 30 June 2025 The Independent Revenues & Benefits Discussion Group, chaired by Malcolm Gardner, convened on 30 June 2025 for a wide-ranging discussion on Council Tax reform, debt collection, and welfare policy. The tone was consistent: the group welcomed debate but expressed frustration with what many saw…
Independent R&B Discussion Group: Spending Review Analysis
The latest meeting of the Independent R&B Discussion Group, chaired by Malcolm Gardner, convened to discuss the recent Spending Review and its implications across government departments, local authorities, and welfare provision. The session included detailed contributions from a range of experts: Paul Howarth, Gareth Morgan, Alex Clegg, Rachael Walker, Sean O’Sullivan, Robert Fox, and Bob…