Top storiesTackling economic inactivity: How will a locally led approach work?We’ve explored how a locally led approach can help tackle economic inactivity. While national data provides
valuable insights, it often lacks the granularity needed to address the unique challenges different communities face. By using administrative data, local authorities can identify barriers to employment and create targeted interventions. In our blog we highlight examples of councils leveraging data to support residents, increase benefit take up, and promote job opportunities.
Read more about how local areas can take the lead in reducing economic inactivity.
The Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill: A fresh approach to fraud or fuel for stigma?We’ve examined the
implications of the Fraud, Error, and Recovery Bill, asking whether it provides a fresh approach to tackling fraud or risks exacerbating stigma against benefit claimants. The bill proposes giving the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) enhanced powers to access claimants' bank accounts to recover overpaid benefits without a court order. While the government expects to save £1.5 billion over five years, concerns have been raised about privacy violations and the unfair targeting of vulnerable people. Our
blog delves into the balance between fraud prevention and protecting claimants' rights.
Council Tax carries the burden: What the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement means for local servicesWe’ve taken a closer look at the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement and its implications for councils and communities. Despite a headline increase in funding, much of the financial burden continues to fall on council tax, with most households in England facing a 5% rise from April. In areas like Birmingham and Newham, residents will see even steeper increases as councils struggle to balance their budgets. Our
blog examines how local authorities are increasingly reliant on council tax to fund essential services and what this means
for the future of local government finance.
Improving council outreach with LIFT’s new Campaign Manager featurePolicy in Practice is excited to introduce the new Campaign Manager feature to our LIFT platform, which is already trusted by one in three local authorities across the UK. For over eight years, LIFT has helped councils harness data and technology to identify, engage and support households that may be financially vulnerable or missing out on the benefits they’re eligible for. With the addition of Campaign Manager, councils can now effortlessly send targeted campaigns with just a few clicks, streamlining communication with residents through letters and text messages directly via LIFT.
Join our March webinar to hear from councils that are already successfully using Campaign Manager.
Policy in Practice gives evidence to select committee on tackling pensioner povertyThis month, we gave evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee inquiry into pensioner poverty, alongside Alistair Smyth from the National Housing Federation and Councillor David Fothergill from the Local Government Association. We focused on key areas where policy changes can significantly improve pensioners' financial security and wellbeing.
We called for the Pension Adequacy Review to treat the needs of low income pensioners separately from middle income groups, as the former have
not benefited from the triple lock in the same way. We also backed the LGA’s call to consider pensions alongside housing and local authority support.
On data, we highlighted local authorities’ continuing success in using data to boost pension credit take up and reduce the number of people missing out. We urged the committee to address the data gap for Universal Credit to ensure pensioners can access local support.
Finally, we emphasised that benefit take up campaigns can return up to 100 times the investment, with savings in health and social care.
Watch below.
