Towards a smaller state: a policy stocktake
Towards a smaller state: a policy stocktake Kevin Williamson Head of Communities and Wellbeing National Housing Federation
Underlying social and economic drivers are powerful EXPECTATIONS
DEMOGRAPHICS
DEFICT REDUCTION
These are shaping the policy response of all political parties Localism (and a smaller state)
Responsibility (not entitlement) Personalisation, co-production and integration
Welfare Reform
Public attitudes more hard line than the policy Welfare cuts are popular with voters. A Populus Poll in June 2012 showed that: 84 per cent agreed that there is increasingly a something for nothing culture; with people choosing to live on benefits. 86 per cent said that people should be required to do some full time work in the community in return for benefits.
84 per cent agreed that benefits should be capped. 90 per cent said that those with low literacy and numeracy should be required to do something about it, in return for benefits.
Cumulative impact of changes cannot be underestimated April 2013 Bedroom tax Overall benefit cap Social Fund localisation Council Tax Benefit Discretionary Housing Payments Start of UC pathfinder in North West
From October 2013 until 2017 Universal Credit – direct monthly payments
Policis report points to risks with achieving cultural change
UC requires social tenants to move away from established budgeting strategies
86% tenants believe strongly that it is better for housing benefit to be paid directly to landlord
Heavy credit use is key indicator of financial distress and arrears
Quarter of social tenants digitally excluded, and 24% of social tenants do not have access to necessary banking
Mitigation of these significant risks should include: •
Comprehensive vulnerability criteria;
•
Flexibility not only on direct payments but also on payment periods and single household payments; and
•
Investment in support
Considerable activity by associations to prepare Allocations Lodgers Downsizing Re-designation Income management
Financial and digital inclusion Supporting people into work
Planning Reform
Planning changes threaten affordable homes delivery Growth and Infrastructure Bill Aims to reduce the red-tape which can delay investment, regeneration and job creation. However, provisions in the Bill to allow affordable housing requirements to be reviewed where a development is alleged to be economically unviable should be expanded to: Apply to all planning obligations, not just affordable housing Consider broader issues than just economic viability, including the development plan policies, such as the need for homes at a range of prices in local communities
Health & Social Care
A new health and social care landscape is taking shape
And associations have a strong offer to make
Tangible opportunities are in the pipeline... Government has set up a new care and support housing fund, which will provide £300 million of capital funding over five years from 2013/14. A further £300 million between 2013 and 2015 will be transferred to local authorities to fund re-enablement services.
The social care White Paper has set out an expectation on NHS organisations to “give particular consideration to developing housing for older and disabled people” in their disposal of land. Retendering of some elements of the Transformation of Community Services programme from 2013.
Local Authorities
Building engagement with local authorities Invest in maintaining and improving your local reputation and relationships. Get to understand the substance of councils’ strategic approaches. Be clear about what local services matter for the wellbeing and the opportunity of your residents. Maintain and build your presence in sub-regional economic and strategic discussions Get to understand the financial and asset position of council landlords
Influence in the interests of your organisation and communities by promoting the potential of your offer Acknowledgement: from a report in progress by Martin Wheatley, Strategic Advice
Contact
Kevin Williamson National Housing Federation 020 7067 1087 [email protected] http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Kevin/Williamson
Further information: www.housing.org.uk
Underlying social and economic drivers are powerful EXPECTATIONS
DEMOGRAPHICS
DEFICT REDUCTION
These are shaping the policy response of all political parties Localism (and a smaller state)
Responsibility (not entitlement) Personalisation, co-production and integration
Welfare Reform
Public attitudes more hard line than the policy Welfare cuts are popular with voters. A Populus Poll in June 2012 showed that: 84 per cent agreed that there is increasingly a something for nothing culture; with people choosing to live on benefits. 86 per cent said that people should be required to do some full time work in the community in return for benefits.
84 per cent agreed that benefits should be capped. 90 per cent said that those with low literacy and numeracy should be required to do something about it, in return for benefits.
Cumulative impact of changes cannot be underestimated April 2013 Bedroom tax Overall benefit cap Social Fund localisation Council Tax Benefit Discretionary Housing Payments Start of UC pathfinder in North West
From October 2013 until 2017 Universal Credit – direct monthly payments
Policis report points to risks with achieving cultural change
UC requires social tenants to move away from established budgeting strategies
86% tenants believe strongly that it is better for housing benefit to be paid directly to landlord
Heavy credit use is key indicator of financial distress and arrears
Quarter of social tenants digitally excluded, and 24% of social tenants do not have access to necessary banking
Mitigation of these significant risks should include: •
Comprehensive vulnerability criteria;
•
Flexibility not only on direct payments but also on payment periods and single household payments; and
•
Investment in support
Considerable activity by associations to prepare Allocations Lodgers Downsizing Re-designation Income management
Financial and digital inclusion Supporting people into work
Planning Reform
Planning changes threaten affordable homes delivery Growth and Infrastructure Bill Aims to reduce the red-tape which can delay investment, regeneration and job creation. However, provisions in the Bill to allow affordable housing requirements to be reviewed where a development is alleged to be economically unviable should be expanded to: Apply to all planning obligations, not just affordable housing Consider broader issues than just economic viability, including the development plan policies, such as the need for homes at a range of prices in local communities
Health & Social Care
A new health and social care landscape is taking shape
And associations have a strong offer to make
Tangible opportunities are in the pipeline... Government has set up a new care and support housing fund, which will provide £300 million of capital funding over five years from 2013/14. A further £300 million between 2013 and 2015 will be transferred to local authorities to fund re-enablement services.
The social care White Paper has set out an expectation on NHS organisations to “give particular consideration to developing housing for older and disabled people” in their disposal of land. Retendering of some elements of the Transformation of Community Services programme from 2013.
Local Authorities
Building engagement with local authorities Invest in maintaining and improving your local reputation and relationships. Get to understand the substance of councils’ strategic approaches. Be clear about what local services matter for the wellbeing and the opportunity of your residents. Maintain and build your presence in sub-regional economic and strategic discussions Get to understand the financial and asset position of council landlords
Influence in the interests of your organisation and communities by promoting the potential of your offer Acknowledgement: from a report in progress by Martin Wheatley, Strategic Advice
Contact
Kevin Williamson National Housing Federation 020 7067 1087 [email protected] http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Kevin/Williamson
Further information: www.housing.org.uk
