Agenda item

Welfare reform and Universal Credit - verbal update

Minutes:

The Chair invited Rose Doran to introduce the update.

 

Rose reported on two non-covid related developments since the last Board meeting:

1.     The Cabinet Office had announced a call for evidence on the fairness of debt recovery in the public sector with a deadline for submissions of 21 September. Rose said that this tied in very well with the LGA’s Reshaping Financial Support work. This issue would be a difficult balance for local councils who on the one hand would want to recover as much debt as possible to shore up their perilous financial positions as a result of covid-19, but on the other hand would want to support vulnerable local residents.

2.     DEFRA had allocated £63 million to councils on 10 July for assisting vulnerable residents purchase essential goods.

Decision

Members of the Resources Board noted the update.