Shaping the Future of Local Welfare and Crisis Support in England
This joint report, presented by The Children’s Society, End Furniture Poverty, Carers Trust, the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), Trussell, and Resolve Poverty on behalf of the Crisis Support Working Group leading the Save Our Local Safety Net campaign, reflects the outcomes of a comprehensive inquiry into the future of local crisis support.
The inquiry sought to evaluate the current landscape of local crisis support and envision the framework for permanent, ring-fenced funding essential to its sustainability.
Drawing on the perspectives of local authorities, VCS organisations, and individuals with lived experience, the report offers actionable recommendations to establish a robust and equitable local crisis support system capable of addressing both immediate needs and fostering resilience.
The inquiry findings make it clear: crisis support must be embedded within the welfare system as a permanent feature, not a reactive emergency measure. Key recommendations include:
- Establishing a permanent "Financial Crisis and Resilience Fund" with at least £1.25 billion in annual, upfront investment to replace the patchwork of temporary schemes. This would ensure financial security for local authorities, in England allowing them to plan and deliver effective support.
- Introducing a statutory duty for Local Welfare Assistance (LWA), backed by upfront ring-fenced funding, to guarantee minimum support standards across England.
- Enhancing crisis support through a "cash-first" approach, prioritising direct financial assistance with access to wrap-around services to help build financial resilience such as benefits advice, debt advice and mental health support.
- Developing a national data platform to track trends in need, identify at-risk groups, and guide early interventions, ensuring crisis support is both effective and preventative.
We know that 28% of carers live in poverty. Many face unexpected financial crisis, and need access to local welfare assistance schemes.
Our experience of the Household Support Fund shows that when local authorities work with local carer services, carers are able to get the financial support they need, whilst also accessing the wrap around support they need for their caring role.
Local Authorities administering welfare assistance schemes should work closely with local carer services to ensure carers are identified as a financially vulnerable group and that they are able to access the crisis support they need.