An Assessment of Local Social Security Provision in London
Commissioned by: Trust for London
- Published 21st May 2019
- Category: Social Security and Welfare Reform
Like all English local authorities, London boroughs are now responsible not just for delivering certain elements of the social security system but for designing them too. This is a result of both the devolution of services that were once national to local authorities and of local authorities taking the initiative to fill gaps left by cuts in the national social security system.
Council tax support (CTS), discretionary housing payment (DHP) and local welfare assistance schemes (LWA) are all elements of the social security system which are now administered by the local authority. Each of these benefits has a different focus, but all are intended to prevent and alleviate hardship. Together, they are the major parts of what can be called the local social security safety net.
This report looks at the provision of CTS, DHP and LWA across the London boroughs finding that there is a great deal of variation, with some deprived boroughs offering very low levels of support.
About this report
This report was funded by Trust for London and written by Carla Ayrton, Peter Kenway and Josh Holden of the New Policy Institute. The facts presented and views expressed in this report are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Trust for London.