Agenda item

The Chair invited Rose Doran, Senior Adviser, to present the report which updated member on the progress against agreed priorities for the LGA’s work on the role of councils in supporting people with the rising cost of living; promoting financial inclusion and resilience, and the design and delivery of the welfare system.

There had been work on the Memorandum of Understanding for DWP data-sharing, it had been clarified that councils did not need to be compliant at this stage. The proposal is for DWP to work closely with the sector over a period to ensure data is being used safely and effectively.

Cllr David Leaf, who sits as a representative on the Cost of Living Advisory Group, gave an update on the group’s work:

• There was a webinar series which had over 300 attending, including councils and those form the voluntary and community sector.
• The next meeting of the group would be at the end of the month.

Members supported the aspiration for councils to make better and wider use of DWP data.

Decision:

Members noted the update.