The future of local welfare inquiry
Members of the Save Our Local Safety Net campaign conducted an inquiry on the future of local welfare and crisis support, focusing on how long-term funding could improve aid for individuals and families in financial hardship.
Shaping the Future of Local Welfare and Crisis Support in England
The inquiry examined the future of local welfare and crisis support in England, gathering evidence from local authorities, voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations, and individuals with lived experience of using local crisis support and/or financial hardship.
Download the report
Report findings
Local crisis support is a vital safety net for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship. However, the current system in England is fragmented, underfunded, and inconsistent, leaving many without the support they need.
The findings of the inquiry highlight the urgent need for permanent, ring-fenced funding and a simplified, unified system to replace the Household Support Fund (HSF) and other discretionary support mechanisms.
Key recommendations
Crisis support must be embedded within the welfare system as a permanent feature, not a reactive emergency measure.
Key recommendations include:
- Establishing a permanent "Financial Crisis and Resilience Fund" with at least £1.25 billion in annual, upfront investment to replace the patchwork of temporary schemes. This would ensure financial security for local authorities, in England allowing them to plan and deliver effective support.
- Introducing a statutory duty for Local Welfare Assistance (LWA), backed by upfront ring-fenced funding, to guarantee minimum support standards across England. Any minimum standard/statutory duty for LWA should include the provision of furniture and white goods. This makes up 37% of current LWA budgets and we wish to ensure a support offering continues.
- Standardising Free School Meal (FSM) holiday support through a national scheme, removing reliance on local crisis support funding and eliminating geographic disparities.
- Enhancing crisis support through a "cash-first" approach, prioritising direct financial assistance with access to wrap-around services to help build financial resilience such as benefits advice, debt advice and mental health support.
- Developing a national data platform to track trends in need, identify at-risk groups, and guide early interventions, ensuring crisis support is both effective and preventative.
- Ensuring transparency and accountability through annual DWP-led audits and public reporting, with independent oversight to monitor progress and improve service delivery.
To learn more about the significance of welfare and crisis support, download the report.
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