2013 will see the most
radical changes to welfare for decades. Councils are
having to take on new responsibilities with council tax support and the local
provision for the social fund. But there are other significant indirect consequences
for councils; some of which are still uncertain, such what the impact will be
of housing benefit and other welfare changes people of claimants having to
downsize or move to cheaper areas. Welfare cuts will undoubtedly mean rising
demand for some services, such as money advice and possibly homelessness
services in some areas. The financial impact on councils is uncertain – will
the new arrangements for rent under universal credit, for example, mean a rise
in bad debts? We will begin to understand the implications more as universal
credit is phased in starting in April. The council is well aware of the problems ahead and is doing what it can to advise residents expected to be caught up in the changes.
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