Season's greetings from Policy in Practice

12 Days of Christmas: Good news stories from 2022

2022 has been a difficult year for many. Sharing the impactful results our clients have achieved in spite of all the challenges has shown that help is there for those who need it.

Thank you to all our clients who took part this year. We hope their stories inspire you too.

Day 1: Citizens Advice Caerphilly helps client get £26,000 in unclaimed benefits
Day 2: Islington's data-led Pension Credit campaigns see over £1.2 million awarded to residents

Day 3: Folkestone and Hythe's work on improving social inclusion saw them rewarded at IRRV Awards 2022
Day 4: Multi Agency Safeguarding Tracker (MAST) wins award for tackling vulnerability through data sharing
Day 5: Redbridge use data to distribute £1.3 million in Discretionary Housing Payments
Day 6: Community Housing maximise tenants' income by £1.3 million
Day 7: Kent County and district councils join together for data-led poverty prevention campaigns
Day 8: Local authority data-led campaigns distribute £35 million in unclaimed Pension Credit
Day 9: Moat Homes launch 'Better Off' campaign to empower staff and customers through cost of living crisis
Day 10: Enfield pilot the use of Universal Credit data to encourage take-up of Council Tax Support scheme
Day 11: Scope supports customer to increase benefit entitlement for the next 5 years
Day 12: Coventry Council's holistic use of data sees one resident's weekly income increased by 150%

Looking back over 2022 and the stories we've featured in our 12 Days of Christmas campaign, I am reminded of why I started Policy in Practice. My vision was (and still is) to make the social security system work for everyone. As winter energy bills land on the doormat, it should be a reminder that our work is as important as ever, and the difference our clients have made in people’s lives this year is really impressive.

It's been another really tough year for many. We learned of a man from Coventry who was living on £55 a week. Thankfully, Coventry Council used LIFT to identify that he was eligible for Pension Credit worth an extra £138 a week. He went on to get this and around £1,800 in back-dated entitlement, and could get a £650 Cost of Living payment too.

Coventry's campaign helped 79 other people just like this man, changing their lives by boosting their financial strength. This one campaign alone brought in over £213,000 to the city this year, based on these figures we estimate that the lifetime economic impact of the campaign would be £1.3 million.

I'm proud to say that, together, our LIFT clients have put around £35 million of unclaimed Pension Credit into the hands of eligible pensioners this year. Given that the government estimates that £1.7 billion of Pension Credit is unclaimed, it is vital work.

As we can see from the stories featured in the 12 days of Christmas campaign, the Better Off Calculator is making a difference too. We estimate that it puts over £54 million into people's pockets each month, or £653 million a year. Whilst this is a great impact, it is a drop in the ocean when we consider that £19 billion of benefits and support are unclaimed each year.

Next year sees Policy in Practice reach its 10 year anniversary. Unfortunately, we know that 2023 is going to be tougher for some families. My vision for 2023 and beyond is to reach more councils, more sectors and more people, to spread the message that data can help to change lives, make a positive impact on people and communities, and help the economy.

It has been our pleasure to work with our clients and to see their results. Like you, we are committed to continuing to make a lasting difference. Your support has been invaluable in making the platforms we've built work better.

If there is anything more you feel we can do to help, please don't hesitate to contact me or a member of my team. On behalf of the whole team at Policy in Practice I wish you a peaceful and restful Christmas and a positive New Year.

Best wishes

Deven Ghelani
Director and Founder