Minutes:
The Chair invited Rose Doran, Senior Adviser, to introduce the item
Rose’s verbal update then included the LGA’s ongoing work around Universal Credit (UC), managed migration and engagement with the DWP.
The Chair thanked Rose for her update and welcomed members to comment:
· Members discussed how to feed local stakeholders’ concerns into the LGA’s work.
· Members expressed frustration that DWP is not listening the views of local government.
· Members discussed the need for better impact assessment, particularly for financially insecure households.
· Members highlight the potential link between UC rollout and the increase in the use of food banks.
· Members discussed how job centres share some concerns locally about lack of information for managed migration.
· Members agreed that councils are at the forefront of supporting residents, and potentially require more recognition and resources from national government.
The Chair highlighted areas that need focusing on in relation to this work-stream:
1. High quality communications at local and national level.
2. The impact on local government finance.
3. The duty of care both local and national government have over residents.
4. The LGA to push for more cumulative impact assessment.
The Chair thanked all members for their comments.
Action
Members noted the update.