Benefits performance information and NI181
The DWP has now published performance information for quarter three of 2009/10. We will be reviewing this new information and will discuss our views with DWP. In our discussions with DWP we will reach an agreement on the appropriate next steps.
Where our research identifies that a service does not appear to be providing a robust delivery of benefits to local people we will consider an inspection.
Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) update
The key lines of enquiry (KLOE) we use for benefits inspections are proving to be a robust framework on which to assess a benefit service. We responded to the report of the Take Up Taskforce, 'Take Up the Challenge', and from 1 July 2010 are using a revised KLOE. Benefit take-up was already included in the KLOE under 'access to the service and understanding of local need'. However, the Taskforce report recommended that take-up should be more prominently referenced in the headline questions. It also recommended that we support the headline question with guidance. We hope this will encourage councils to link take-up with wider priorities, such as preventing child poverty and contributing to economic development.
We have now added a question at 2.2.1 about promoting benefit take-up within the community. We have included all references to take-up in question 2.2.1 and given some examples of working practices. Access the Benefits KLOE to view the revised version.
Surviving the credit crunch
In March 2010 the Audit Commission published Surviving the crunch, the third in a series of reports looking at the impact of the credit crunch and subsequent recession on local authorities. This includes information about how benefit services have been affected.
Benefits and the recession
In June 2009 we sent a survey to all heads of benefits about the impact the recession is having on benefits services across the country. The summarised results are available from The impact of the recession on benefits services. There is a tool where councils can input their own information to see how their Service compares to those who responded to the survey.
In December 2009 the Commission published Testing times giving detailed findings of how the recession has affected benefits services. The report describes key issues and some of the strategies councils are using to lessen the impact of the downturn.
Speaking engagements
The Commission regularly supplies speakers for external conferences and seminars. This has proved a very effective way of explaining our developing approach to HB and CTB administration and the relationship with improving outcomes for customers.
Benefit services inspections update
The following benefit services have confirmed inspection dates:
- Cheshire West and Chester Council - onsite 2 August 2010
- Cheshire East Council - onsite 2 August 2010
- Oxford City Council - onsite 27 September 2010
- Central Bedfordshire Council - onsite 4 October 2010
- Redditch Borough Council - onsite 11 October 2010
- Wiltshire Council - onsite 1 November 2010
- Cornwall Council - onsite 15 November 2010
Full details of agreed and completed inspections is available from benefit service inspections.