Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Local Welfare Assistance Provision (Review)

02 February 2021 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Paul Maynard Con Wyre and Preston North

Benefits & WelfareLocal Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Paul Maynard raised concerns about local welfare assistance provision (review) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Local authorities provide local welfare safety nets and the Bill requires them to publicise their schemes and account for spending.
  • The Bill aims to support councils with best practices and review the impact of the pandemic on local welfare assistance.
  • Concern exists that only 39 percent of allocated funds have been spent on intended purposes.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Paul Maynard Con Wyre and Preston North

Local authorities play a key role in providing local welfare safety nets. The Bill aims to require councils to publicise their local welfare assistance schemes, account for spending, receive support from the Government on best practices, and review the impact of the pandemic. It highlights the need for timely support and incentives for savings. The effectiveness of delivery has depended on pre-existing mechanisms. There is a concern that only 39% of allocated funds have been spent on intended purposes.

Other contributors (1)
  • Paul Maynard Con Wyre and Preston North

    Local welfare assistance schemes should be timely, transparent, accountable, with clear guidance on best practices. There needs to be better coordination with third sector bodies to avoid duplication and improve crisis prevention rather than intervention after the fact. Better data collection is needed for understanding levels of actual need.

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