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Welfare Reform: district & housing implications Boyd Taylor. 13 th June 2013. ‘By the end of this tax year (2012-13) only about £8 billion of the £36 billion of benefits cuts over the four years will have been implemented.’ Welfare Reform in Norfolk, Dr Chris Edwards (UEA) on behalf of NCAN.
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Welfare Reform:district & housing implications Boyd Taylor 13th June 2013
‘By the end of this tax year (2012-13) only about £8 billion of the £36 billion of benefits cuts over the four years will have been implemented.’ Welfare Reform in Norfolk, Dr Chris Edwards (UEA) on behalf of NCAN
Changes in context • In Norwich estimate £35M loss in 14/15 • £11M cuts ≈ 260 lost jobs • Over four years 70,000 low income households in Norfolk may lose 17% of their income (£8pw every week for four years) • GYBC and Norwich likely to be worst affected – impacts more in deprived areas • Low income households tend to face higher inflation
Changes in Norwich • Approximately 3,000 households affected by under occupation, the majority losing 14% of their Housing Benefit • Benefit Cap affecting 80 households in the City resulting on average a cut of £62 per week to their benefit • Changes to Working Tax Credit (capping Child Care, increasing hours worked, restricting annual increase) has resulted in £2.2m per lose of income to City businesses
Council Tax Reduction Schemes • Localised to District Authority level • Subsidy is not reactive • In Norfolk, 7 authorities potentially 7 different schemes • Potential to change each year • Only affects working age claimants
Issues? • Should there be a significant increase in need – negative impact on LA budget • Advice minefield for third sector and cross authority workers • Lack of coherence for claimants
Income Collection • Still too early to be sure but……. • Citizens Advice nationally reporting increase in people seeking advice • LGIU reported member authorities beginning to see increase in arrears
Homelessness • Increasing demand for Housing advice sought – LAs and Shelter • Reasons for presenting • Hidden financial strains?
Domestic Violence • Domestic Abuse Incidents have increased 15% from 2010/11 to 2011/12 • Norwich & Great Yarmouth have the highest incidences of DA • Leeway comment on increase noted in the last 3 months
The future? • Bed blocking in hostels – an increasing problem • Increase in elder abuse • Increase in stress related illnesses at surgery