Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2019 to Question 293440 on welfare assistance schemes, whether her Department plans to reconsider its decision not to conduct a review of pre-covid-19 local welfare assistance provision in England.

Local welfare assistance is an umbrella term used to describe local authority provision for people who are in need of urgent help. The ability of local authorities to act in this area are provided under various powers, for example, section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 enables local authorities to provide financial assistance to any individual.

Provision of local welfare assistance is entirely the responsibility of local authorities. Councils have flexibility to use the funding they receive from the annual Local Government Finance Settlement for local welfare assistance. Next year, depending on local decisions, Core Spending Power in England may rise from £49 billion in 2020-21 to up to £51.3 billion in 2021-22, a 4.6% increase in cash terms. If councils do decide to take up the entirety of the increase on offer, they will see an increase in line with last years. This recognises the resources councils need to meet their pressures and maintain current service levels.

Going forward, we will continue working with individual local authorities to support the most vulnerable people affected during the pandemic.