Welfare plans may face farther scrutiny

摘要

Further legal action against the Government's plans for the future of local welfare assistance could be on the cards despite a partial victory for councils. The Child Poverty Action Group, which forced the Government to reconsider its decision to axe the fund from April after a legal challenge together with Islington LBC, this week told The MJ it was 'considering its options'. Local government minister Kris Hopkins last week said upper-tier authorities would receive £74m in 2015/16 for local welfare and social care. But the Government's own consultation document admits that there 'could be an impact on four groups displaying protected characteristics that are over-represented among recipients of local welfare provision if local authorities decide not to continue their schemes'. The Government document added: 'Should authorities maintain their current levels of support but cut services elsewhere it may also be that those with protected characteristics are impacted because of reductions to funding of other services.'