Laura Sharman 07 November 2016

Benefit cap expected to affect 88,000 households

Local authorities are expected to play a key role in mitigating the impact on the new benefit cap, which comes into force from today.

The new cap will limit how much money a working age household can receive in benefits to £20,000 a year and £23,000 in London.

Although the last benefit cap in 2013 affected 20,000 households, research suggests this new cap will affect four times as many households with 88,000 seeing a reduction in benefits.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies said the cap will result in affected families seeing cash drops in benefit income between one housing benefit payment and the next.

It also said there was no evidence the majority of those affected would move into work, move house or claim disability benefit instead. It predicts that local authorities will end up relieving the strain on families through Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs).

The briefing stated: ‘In 2015–16, £25m of DHPs were allocated specifically to help tenants affected by the benefit cap (offsetting almost 40% of the direct £65m saving from the cap). About 40% of those affected by the benefits cap so far have successfully applied for DHPs.

‘These DHPs look likely to play a key role in mitigating the impact of the cuts on some of the families affected - whilst rendering the net fiscal savings from the cap all the more trivial.’

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Registered Building Inspector (Band 2/Grade 7)

Health and Safety Executive
£60,760 - £65,776
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is transforming building safety regulation across England. United Kingdom / various Locations
Recuriter: Health and Safety Executive

Revenues and Recovery Team Leader

Ashfield District Council
£37,938 - £40,476 per annum (pay award pending)
We have an exciting opportunity for a Revenues and Recovery Team Leader Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Housing Options Officer

Ashfield District Council
£31,067 - £33,366 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of residents in housing need? Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Building Services Operative

Ashfield District Council
£25,584 - £27,269 per annum (pay award pending)
The Facilities team are looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Street Cleansing Technician (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 5, £24,397 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you enjoy working outside, as part of a team that make a direct difference to the communities of Doncaster? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner