Agenda Document Pack - Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee - 15/08/2025
North Lanarkshire Council · 15 August 2025
Back to Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee — 15 August 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Clerk Name: Karen Swan Clerk Telephone: 07919 730272 Clerk Email: committee@northlan.gov.uk 6 August 2025 Members of the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee Chief Executive’s Office Rachel Blair Chief Officer (Legal & Democratic) Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1AB www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk Notice is given that a Meeting of the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee is to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1AB on Friday, 15 August 2025 at 10:00 AM which you are requested to attend. The agenda of business is attached. Rachel Blair Chief Officer (Legal & Democratic) Members : C Costello, K Harmon, C Barclay, B Baudo, H Brannan-McVey, J Cairns, G Currie, P Di Mascio, F Fotheringham, W Goldie, J Jones, P Kelly, J Keltie, A Khan, J Leckie, H Loughran, B McCluskey, A McCrory, L Mitchell, L Nolan, P Patton, C Quigley, D Robb, L Stubbs, C Williams. Page 1 of 60
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Agenda 1 Declarations of Interest In Terms of the Ethical Standards In Public Life Etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 2 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026 Update - Income from Social Security Benefits Submit report by the Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice and Integrated Practice) providing an update on the Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026, Local Child Poverty Action Report and associated Action Plans with a particular focus on the driver of Increase Income Via Social Security. 5 - 22 3 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026 Update - Reduce the Cost of Living Submit report by the Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice and Integrated Practice) providing an update on the Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026, Local Child Poverty Action Report and associated Action Plans with a particular focus on the Reducing the Cost-of-Living Driver. 23 - 46 4 Tackling Poverty Team Activity Report 2024 to 2025 Submit report by Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice and Integrated Practice) (1) providing details of the income maximisation work carried out by the Tackling Poverty Team and Council Services during2024/25 and (2) highlighting the activity of the External Services commissioned by the Council. 47 - 60 Page 3 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Wellbeing & Tackling Poverty Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AG/JC Date 15/08/25 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026 Update – Income from Social Security Benefits From Alison Gordon, Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) E-mail gordonal@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01698 332001 1. Background 1.1 The Policy and Strategy Committee approved the refreshed ‘Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire’ Tackling - Poverty Strategy for 2023-2026 and the Local Child Poverty Action Report 2023, on 28th September 2023. The Strategy and Action Plans sets out our ambition to continue to tackle poverty and child poverty, building on our previous Executive Summary In line with the Plan for North Lanarkshire and new Programme of Work (Resilient People), the purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026, Local Child Poverty Action Report and associated Action Plans with a particular focus on the driver of Increase Income Via Social Security. The Policy and Strategy Committee approved the refreshed ‘Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire’ Tackling - Poverty Strategy for 2023-2026 and the Local Child Poverty Action Report 2023, on 28th September 2023. The new and refreshed Tackling Poverty Strategy is closely aligned with the Resilient People strand of the Council’s Programme of Work and encompasses an integrated multi service approach, alongside an increased focus on working externally with all community planning partners, communities, and people with lived experience of poverty co-ordinated through the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group (TPOAG). Recommendations It is recommended that the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee: (1) Note and approve the update of the tackling driver ‘Increase Income Via Social Security’. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements Programme of Work Resilient People Item 2 Page 5 of 60
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actions and some of the positive foundations achieved through the previous strategy for 2020-2023. The new and refreshed Tackling Poverty Strategy encompasses an integrated multi service approach within the Council, alongside an increased focus on working externally with all community planning partners, communities, and people with lived experience of poverty. 1.2 The Tackling Poverty Strategy supports the Plan for North Lanarkshire’s new Programme of Work priorities and ambitions, promoting the strengths and skills of individuals and families, increasing economic activity, and providing practical and holistic support intervening upstream wherever possible to prevent the longer-term harms associated with poverty. 1.3 The holistic and integrated approach is fundamental to the Plan for North Lanarkshire and whilst maintaining strong links with other elements of the Council’s Programme of Work, Tackling Poverty will be a core strand of the ‘Resilient People’ Programme, whose principal aim is to deliver whole family support locally, when families need it, in a way that is consistent with The Promise Principles and The Tackling Poverty Strategy. This will involve an integrated approach, working with partners, to provide an earlier and more effective response to need. This includes promoting the strengths and skills of individuals and families, increasing economic activity, and providing practical and emotional support, integrating this family support with the roll out of town and community hubs to maximise opportunities for community-led and strengths-based approaches. 1.4 The Tackling Poverty Strategy within the Resilient People programme of work recognises the importance of a holistic approach reflected also in the addition of holistic support within the national framework set by Best Start, Bright Futures and that often the most direct, efficient and effective way of helping families is to provide responsive financial support and economic opportunities to achieve lasting change. The Strategy reflects this, being structured around the four key drivers of: - • Increasing income via employment. • Maximising income via social security benefits. • Reducing the cost of living; and • Holistic Supports 1.5 The Tackling Poverty Strategy also continues the approach of incorporating the Local Child Poverty Action Report (Action Plan), aligning both Plans into the same lifespan from 2023 to 2026. Both the local authority and NHSL have agreed that the Local Child Poverty Action Reports should be an integral part of the overall strategy also enabling our statutory duty to report to Scottish Government on an annual basis and recognising that child poverty is integrally linked with poverty and wellbeing within the wider community. To support reporting and measuring impact amongst targeted groups the action plan will detail which “strategy/plan” each action relates to, identifying those actions that are specifically aimed at the child poverty priority groups. 2. Report 2.1 The Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee held on 3rd November 2023, were advised that the TPOAG agreed new monitoring templates for the tackling poverty drivers to allow us to track “How we will know if we are making a difference”, with each tackling poverty driver being the focus of TPOAG meetings on a rotational basis, to Page 6 of 60
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allow the Group to analyse in detail each action, using national and local data (quantitative and qualitative) to ensure that the Actions within the driver, and the outcomes set by the Scottish Government and our Action Plan are being met. 2.2 The TPOAG have created 20 new measures as part of the Strategic Performance Framework approved by the Resilient People Board in January 2024. 2.3 In 2021/22 the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group also implemented a RAGG system that will continue to be applied to the Action Plan, for each poverty drivers and support management of the programme; the details of which are; • Red – Action remains outstanding. • Amber – Work has started on this action but requires further work to complete. • Green – Action is completed and remains ongoing. • Grey – Action has been completed and requires no further action. 2.4 Using this approach the Tackling Poverty Officer Action Group will identify tasks that are completed (or ongoing), tasks that are amber or red will be taken to the Resilient People Board for further consideration. 2.5 The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group considered the progression being made across each of the action points from the baseline figure of 2022/23 to the current year allowing a full picture of the impact of the activity. Update – Income Via Social Security Benefits 2.6 Whilst we are limited in our ability to lift people out of poverty through social security, it can provide people with a steady, sustainable income. The continuing cost of living crisis has made it more important than ever to claim benefits and challenge unfavourable decisions to ensure people’s income is fully maximised. 2.7 Action One – Maximising Income of North Lanarkshire Residents – The first action concentrates on the work done by the Tackling Poverty Team and other council services to maximise the income of the residents of North Lanarkshire through our No Wrong Door approach. 2.8 The TPOAG were advised that from the Action Plan’s baseline figure in 2022/23 there had been a 54% increase in the number of referrals from 18,521 in 22/23 to 28.919 in 24/25. (illustration of activity over the life of the plan is outlined in appendix 2). 2.9 The additional benefit income generated by the Tackling Poverty Team and other council services increased by 35% from the baseline in 22/23 with a total of £54,515,930 in 24/25 of additional benefit income generated via claims, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals for benefits. (illustration of activity over the life of the plan is outlined in appendix 2). 2.10 There has been a considerable increase in demand for the Tackling Poverty Team welfare rights service, with the average number of referrals per month received by the team rising from 945 in 2022/23 to 1233 referrals per month in 2024/25. A 15% increase from the baseline. (Illustration of referral activity over the life of the plan is outlined in appendix 2). 2.11 The increase in referrals has had an impact on response times, with the normal call back of 3-5 working days, moving to 5-7 days to meet that demand. At times it has Page 7 of 60
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been necessary to move this to 7 – 10 days again to meet the demand placed on the service. 2.12 The TPOAG were advised that whilst this increasing demand can currently be met within the timescales as at 1.11 above, 29% of the tackling poverty team are on temporary contracts, with temporary funding streams from NHS Lanarkshire being withdrawn, the Improvement Service funding being reduced and uncertainty over future MacMillan funding, there is growing concern that the Tackling Poverty Team will not only not be able to meet the response times, but areas of work may have to be reprioritised. The IJB have agreed to the use of the previous underspend and this together with monies from the Children and Families reserve budget, has secured the majority of the temporary posts for 2025/26, however, there remains challenges with respect of the balance of demand and future capacity in this area. 2.13 Action One has been given a green on the RAGG status, as this is ongoing work as part of the Tackling Poverty Strategy. 2.14 Action Two – Maximising Income of Social Work Service Users – Social Workers can refer people and families to the Tackling Poverty Team to ensure that income is fully maximised, and that people have access to budgeting/debt advice as well as financial education. 2.15 The Tackling Poverty Team have a dedicated “Support Services Team” for referrals from social work and other council services which may be complex and require more than initial advice offered by First Point of Contact. Referrals for Kinship Carers and those people entering residential care are sent directly to Support Services. 2.16 Considerable work has been done by Support Services to promote this within social work localities and referral routes are now well established, this is evident from the referral activity. The number of referrals has increased 104% from the baseline figure in 2022/23 rising from 4888, to 9990 in 24/25. The table in appendix 2 identifies the referrals over the action plan period, demonstrating an established referral pathway. 2.17 As previously reported, considerable work was done with IT colleagues to ensure that MySWIS was able to provide a more in-depth view of the benefit work being done across all referral pathways. As a result of this a breakdown of activity was only available for 2023/24 where £5,062,066 of additional benefit income was generated for people receiving social work services. This figure has risen £6,537,291 a 29% increase on last year. There has been a 17% increase in the income raised for kinship families with £870,609 generated. 2.18 £766,332 was generated for people accessing Justice and children and families’ services, with the remaining £4,738,559 for those accessing community care services. (To ensure we did not double count any income generation a further £161,791 additional income is reported under Food Poverty Cash First, however, is attributed to Children, Families and Justice services). 2.19 Action Two has been given a green on the RAGG status, as this is ongoing work as part of the Tackling Poverty Strategy 2.20 Action Three – MacMillan Service – The Tackling Poverty Team host the MacMillan Advice Service which offers income maximisation to those people and their families who are affected by a cancer diagnosis. Page 8 of 60
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2.21 The Tackling Poverty Team received 700 referrals from MacMillan during the baseline year of 2022/23; the figure has increased to 857 in 24/25 (22.4% increase). 2.22 The number of referrals received for people who would qualify for benefits under “special rules” due to having a terminal illness has fallen below 50% for this first time since operating the North Lanarkshire MacMillan Advice Project in 2011, this may be due to the impact of the Improving the Cancer Journey Model. 2.23 The work carried out by the Tackling Poverty Team generated £3,422,823 in additional benefit income for patients and their families. 2.24 Due to correspondence from MacMillan intimating that funding may be withdrawn, discussions have to be held with MacMillan in relation to the funding of this vital service to cancer patients and their families. 2.25 Action Three has been given a green on the RAGG status, as this is ongoing work as part of the Tackling Poverty Strategy. 2.26 Action Four & Five – Food Poverty – Action four and five relate to both the food poverty referral gateway and the associated action group, mitigating the need for foodbanks by ensuring access to advice services and claims to crisis grants. 2.27 North Lanarkshire Council has led the way since 2014 in promoting a Cash First approach to tackling food poverty, by ensuring that people do not only have access to crisis grants for the immediate need but also access to information and advice services to ensure sustainable solutions to food crisis. 2.28 Following a successful bid to the Scottish Government to enhance the Cash First approach, funding was provided that allowed for an interim payment to be made to people and families whilst a decision was being made for a crisis grant. Additional funding was provided by the Council to ensure costs in relation to fuel could also be met. 2.29 The activity around Food Poverty and Cash First was not recorded in 2022/23, therefore there is no baseline. The demand for this service has increased with the number of benefit checks completed increasing by 124% from the previous year, rising from 699 in 22/3 to 1564 in 24/5. 2.30 People presenting in food poverty are offered a benefit check, assistance with claiming benefits and budgeting/debt advice. The Tackling Poverty have generated £2,132,125 in additional benefit income the table in appendix 2 provides a breakdown of the benefits people have been assisted with. 2.31 The funding bid, done in conjunction with the Food Poverty Action Group also looked at bringing in uniform reporting across all emergency food providers, to all the landscape of demand to be better measured, in 2023/24 three providers were engaging with the co-ordinator, this has increased to seven this year. 2.32 The project has been successful with £37,676 interim payments for food and £31,801 for emergency fuel provision made to date resulting in 1245 people being diverted away from emergency food providers. 2.33 The Scottish Government funding for this project will cease in November 2025, with the interim payment no longer available, this will mean that, whilst the Cash First approach Page 9 of 60
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via Scottish Welfare Fund together with the support of advice and information will continue, there is the potential for some demand to return to the foodbanks. 2.34 Action Four and Five have been given a green on the RAGG status, as this is ongoing work as part of the Tackling Poverty Strategy. 2.35 Action Six – Welfare Reform Group – North Lanarkshire Advice Network, in its capacity as the welfare reform subgroup keep abreast of ongoing and anticipated Welfare Reforms and their impact or potential impact on our communities. 2.36 From the previous report in August 2024, there has been a vast acceleration in the number of income related Employment and Support Allowance claimants being migrated to Universal Credit (UC), otherwise known as the Move to UC. This has led to a considerable increased in demand for support for vulnerable claimants, particularly those who lack digital skills or have literacy issues and are needing face to face support to make their Universal Credit claim. 2.37 Following the recent discussions and changes to the Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, any changes to current benefit entitlement will have a potential impact to residents across North Lanarkshire. 2.38 The North Lanarkshire Advice Network will plan and publish a series of targeted messages which will go out across all members platforms encouraging people to seek advice as early as they can. 2.39 Action Six has remained at an amber as further research and work will need to be carried out to consider the impact on future changes to the residents of North Lanarkshire and how best to proceed with any communications. 2.40 Actions Seven, Nine and Ten – Health Input – For the purposes of this report, actions seven, nine and ten will be reported on together, as all relate to partnership working in this area with Health Services. 2.41 NHS Lanarkshire together with the IJB funded 7 temporary posts within the Tackling Poverty Team, however, via our referral pathways have access to the full team of welfare rights officers, income maximisers and money advisors. As previously reported, NHS funding for financial link workers through the Primary Care Transformation Programme ended in March 2025 with the funding commitment from the Integrated Joint board (IJB) also scheduled only to March 2025. Whilst the IJB has subsequently agreed that the Team would be able to use the underspend from previous years to support team capacity in 2025/26 there will require to be further discussion around the capacity to support health specific pathways, training and in reach going forward which may impact on this group of actions. 2.42 The baseline reported in 2022/23 for all general health staff referrals was 394 referrals, this has increased to 1044 referrals in 2024/25, a 165% increase in referrals from the baseline figure and a 77% increase on the previous year (2023/2024). The additional benefit income generated via these referrals has been £.1,137,035. 2.43 Referrals from Health Visitors and District Nurses remain relatively low, with no baseline figure available for 2022/23 the comparison is done on last year. There has been a 16% reduction in the referrals from 119 last year to 99 this year. The total income generated from the 99 2024/25 has however increased to £181,558.89. . Page 10 of 60
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2.44 NHS Lanarkshire employ Community Link Workers who will take referrals from GPs in respect of social prescribing. Temporary funding was provided to both the Tackling Poverty Team and external partners to provide income maximisation and money advice services; however, as noted above, this funding was withdrawn at the end of March 2025. 2.45 Referrals from the GP Link Workers have also fallen with 482 welfare rights referrals received in 2022/23 and 333 in 23/24. The income generated in 2024/25 from GP Link Worker referrals totalled £266,066. 2.46 Action Seven, Nine and Ten were reviewed by the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group, and it was agreed that all the actions under Health should be classed as amber due to the uncertainty around funding. The Group acknowledged the role in particular of Health Visitors in tackling child poverty and agreed that this was an area that required more discussion with Health colleagues. 2.47 Action Eight – Improvement Service Project (Wealth & Health Project) – Temporary funding has been provided by the Improvement Service to install a welfare rights officer within 4 GP practices in North Lanarkshire (Bellshill, Coatbridge x2, Wishaw). 2.48 The welfare rights officer not only received referrals direct from the Practice but has access to patient records which negates the need for requesting medical evidence from GPs which can not only delay decision making but can often come at a cost to the patient. 2.49 This project has proven to be very successful, with a 149% increase in the number of benefit checks completed from the baseline in 2022/23. 890 benefit checks have been completed in 24/25 with £4,067,712 in additional income being generated. 2.50 The funding for the Wealth and Health Project is temporary, with funding in other local authorities being withdrawn. However, due to the success of the Project within North Lanarkshire, the Improvement Service has continued partial funding until 2026. 2.51 Action eight has been given a green on the RAGG status, as this is ongoing work as part of the Tackling Poverty Strategy. 2.52 Action Eleven – Commissioned Services – The CABx provide information and advice services across the six main towns in North Lanarkshire to ensure all residents are offered income maximisation and we continue to approach the “no wrong door” approach. 2.53 The CABx receive funding from North Lanarkshire for core services, with the CABx also receiving funding from other sources. 2.54 The six CABx in 2024/25 report that they have generated additional benefit income of £9.5 million. 2.55 Action eleven has been given a green on the RAGG status, as this is ongoing work as part of the Tackling Poverty Strategy. 2.56 Action Twelve – Uptake of Scottish Child Payment – the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group heard that the take up of the Scottish Child Payment nationally is 95% for those under 6 and 77% for those over. Page 11 of 60
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2.57 Action Thirteen – Uptake of Bereavement Benefit – The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group heard that there has been little movement in the take up of this benefit, with only 4 claims being assisted with by the Tackling Poverty Team due to no demand in this area. 2.58 The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group has agreed to remove Actions Twelve and Thirteen as specific actions from the Action Plan and in future will report on these via the all-inclusive Action One “income generated for residents. 2.59 It is proposed to replace the previous actions with a new Action Twelve – Dedicated Welfare Rights Officer for ASN Schools – A Welfare Rights Officer to deliver income maximisation support to families and carers of pupils attending Additional Support Needs Schools. 2.60 Following discussions with head teachers from ASN schools across North Lanarkshire, it was agreed that 9 of the 12 schools would provide funding via Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) to fund a welfare rights officer specifically for the pupils of these schools. 2.61 North Lanarkshire have taken this unique approach in terms of their funding to ensure that families had access to services within their school community. 2.62 Presentations were delivered to staff within the schools, and it was agreed that the project would begin with a targeted approach of P1 and S1 pupils with teaching and other school staff being able to refer to the Service if they identified a family needing assistance. 2.63 There is no baseline figure for this project as it began in August 2024. 2.64 The project has worked with 117 families, generating £519,259 in additional benefit income. 2.65 The TPOAG agreed that as clarification was sought around future funding this should be given an amber status until this has been agreed. 2.66 A further new action has also been introduced as Action Thirteen – Increase Challenges to Social Security Benefit Decisions – Work requires to be done with the community and other Services to encourage challenges to benefit decisions via mandatory reconsiderations and appeals to upper tribunals. 2.67 Following Covid, the number of appeals against unfavourable decisions has fallen across the UK, this together with lengthy delays in decision making has led to the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group, identifying a need to promote this action across communities and services. 2.68 Corporate Comms have developed a number of messages that can be sent out via social media platforms to encourage people who wish to dispute claim decisions. 2.69 This is a new action with the action plan, and therefore no baseline is available, for 2024/25, however, there have been 287 mandatory reconsiderations, and 117 appeals completed, with a total of £1,245,575 income generated. 2.70 The TPOAG agreed that the action would be given an amber status to allow campaign and communications work to be done around this area. Page 12 of 60
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3. Measures of success 3.1 The successful delivery and outcomes of the 2023 – 26 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy Action Plan 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix One – Updated Action Plan “Increase Income Via Social Security” – April 23 to March 2024 Appendix Two - Income from Benefits Charts. Alison Gordon Chief Social Work Officer Page 13 of 60
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Tackling Poverty is fully aligned with the requirements of the Fairer Scotland Duty, its purpose being to reduce the inequalities caused by socio economic disadvantage. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Page 14 of 60
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Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group Sub Group have a Communications Plan. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Tackling Poverty has been identified as a Corporate Risk, with the Chief Social Work Officer as the risk lead. Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy sets out a planned approach which seeks to eliminate poverty or make very significant reductions in the level of poverty resulting in benefit to the residents and including improvement in the overall level of health and wellbeing of communities. Any future changes in team capacity which may impact on the achievement of the action plan will be reflected in the updating of this risk. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. Page 15 of 60
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5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In North Lanarkshire we recognise that tackling poverty and inequality does not fall to one Service, or one Sector, we must therefore work together to use our resources effectively and efficiently to ensure that all our communities have access to opportunities that will lead to better outcomes for people in terms of employment, wellbeing and inclusive growth. If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☒ No ☐ Page 16 of 60
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Key TP Strategy Only TP Strategy and LCPAR No Action Brief Description How We Measure Success Links to Other Strategies Link to Programme Of Work 2022 / 23 Baseline 2023/ 24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025 / 26 Outcomes Timescales Status Identify if applies to TPS &/or LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information 1 The Tackling Poverty Team and other council services to continue to maximise the income of the residents of North Lanarkshire All residents are offered income maximisation and we continue to promote the "no wrong door" approach Residents will be directed to the tackling poverty team to ensure income is fully maximised The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People 18,521 benefit checks carried out in 2022/23 - £35,480,02 0 generated in addtiional income 26,158 benefit checks carried out in 23/24 (41.2% increase) - £47,935,822 generated in additional income (35.1% increase) 29,819 benefit checks carried out in 24/25 (54% increase from baseline - 14% increase from previous year) £54,515,930 generated in additional income (35% increase from baseline and 14% from previous year) Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 2 Work with all social work services to ensure income maximisation is carried out for all vulnerable client groups Social Work staff refer people to the Tackling Poverty Team who will carry out all income maximisation work Referrals to the tackling poverty team from all social work staff The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People 4888 benefit checks carried out in 2022/23 9639 benefit checks carried out in 23/24 (now able to report income gen - £5.062.066) 9990 benefit checks carried out in 24/25 (104% increase from baseline and 3.6%increase on previous year) generating £6,537,291 a 29% increase on last year Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated Tackling Poverty Strategy INCREASE INCOME VIA SOCIAL SECURITY Appendix 1 Page 17 of 60
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3 MacMillan Advice Service Maximise the income of cancer patients, their families and carers Provide an income maximisation and debt advice service The Cancer Strategy Resilient People 700 referrals in 2022/23 700 referrals in 2023/24 (generating £3,542,782) 857 referrals in 24/25 (22.4% increase) generating £3,422,823 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 4 Food Poverty Referral Gateway Mitigate the need for foodbank use by ensuring access to advice services and claims to crisis grants A decrease in the use of foodbanks The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People work still being carried out on referral monitoring with food banks £2,132,125 in additional benefit income for people accessing the Cash First Project from 1564 benefit checks Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of referrals to foodbanks Number of Crisis Grant applications 5 Food Poverty Action Group Group to consider uniform recording across all emergency food providers Uniform recording adopted by all emergency food providers The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People n/a 21 food providers contacted - 3 currently working with co-ordinator 9 food providers now working with the co- ordinator Nov-25 ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of foodbanks recording 6 Welfare Reform Group The welfare reform group to ensure serviceds, elected members etc are kept fully abreast of welfare reform changes and their impact on our communities updates are provided and action taken when necessary The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People n/a NLAN - social media messages around managed migration. NLAN - social media messages around the Migration - increased due ot the acceleration in the number of Income realted ESA claimants being migrated to UC Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR North Lanarkshire Advice Network Issues raised / campaigns Page 18 of 60
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7 Health Staff refer to income maximisation and debt advice services Health Staff will ensure money issues are addressed and referrals are made to the tackling poverty team Increased number of teams and services in NHS Lanarkshire referring patients to the tackling poverty team to ensure income is fully maximised NHS Cost of Living Resilient People 394 referrals 22/23 591 referrals received in 23/24 (increase of 50%) 1044 referrals received in 24/25 (165% from the baseline and 77% increase on the previous year) Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated / Number of health teams or services referring 8 Improvement Service Project - GP Practices GP Practices identified by the Improvement Service have a welfare rights officer in situ, with access to GP records The welfare rights service is integrated into the GP Practice The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People 357 benefit checks 22/23 608 benefit checks received in 23/24 (70% increase) 890 referrals received in 24/25 (a 55% increase on the baseline) Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 9 Relaunch Health Visitor & District Nurse Referral Pathway Poverty Awareness Training and pathway training to take place health visitor and district nurses make referrals to the tackling poverty team NHS Cost of Living Resilient People n/a 119 referrals received in 23/24 99 referrals received in 24/25 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team number of referrals to the tackling poverty team 10 GP Community Link Worker Programme community link worker embedded within GP practices across North Lanarkshire making referrals to information and advice services embed link workers and increase support to patients NHS Cost of Living Resilient People 482 welfare rights referrals (22/23) 146 debt advice referrrals (22/23) 333 welfare rights referrals (23/24) 31% decrease 133 debt advice referrals (23/24) 9% decrease 562 welfare rights referral (16.5% increase from baseline, 68% increase on previous year) 146 debt advice referrals (equal to baseline and 9% increase on previous year) NHS FUNDING HAS ENDED - PROJECT NO LONGER RUNNING Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated Page 19 of 60
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11 Commissione d Services - Income Maximiation via Benefit Uptake All residents are offered income maximisation and we continue to promote the "no wrong door" approach the successful commissioned service offer income maximisation to the residents of North Lanarkshire NHS Cost of Living Resilient People £5,267,650 income generated for north lanarkshrie residents 2022/23 £8.259.352 income generated for north lanarkshire residents 23/24 - 55% increase £9.5 million income generated for north lanarkshire residents. 24/25 a 15% increase on the previous year. Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of Benefit Checks / Benefit Claims / Resolutions Income Generated 12 Uptake of Sccottish Child Payment The Tackling Poverty Team through working with other services will promote the uptake of SCP increased uptake of Scottish Child Payment The Plan for North Lanarkshire / NHS Cost of Living Resilient People under 6 - 77% national average uptake under 6 - 95% national uptake over 6 years of age - 77% national uptake REMOVE SPECIFIC ACTIONS AND EXPLORE IN ACCTION ONE ONGOING Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team national averages 13 Uptake of Bereavement Benefits The Tackling Poverty Team through working with other services will promote the uptake of SCP increased uptake of Beareavemen t Benefit The Plan for North Lanarkshire / NHS Cost of Living Resilient People 4 claims assisted 4 claims assisted REMOVE SPECIFIC ACTIONS AND EXPLORE IN ACCTION ONE Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team number of benefit claims 12 Welfare Rights Officer - Additional Support Needs Schools Welfare Rights Officer to deliver income maximisation to families and carers Number of referrals / income generated The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People introduced in 2024 kintorduced in august 2025 117 families assisted - £519,259 additional income generated starting in August 2024 TP Strategy and LCPAR Education and The Tackling Poverty Team Number of people accessing the service / income generated 13 Work with the community and Services to encourage challenges to benefit decisions via Mandatory Reconsiderati ons and Appeals to Upper Tribunal level Encourage residents to exhaust all challenges to benefit decisions number of mandatory reconsideratio ns / number of appeals lodged / income generated via MR and Appeal The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People introduced in 2024 (however, stats available for 23/24) * 293 Mandatory Reconsiderat ions * 124 appeals * £1,269,619 generated *287 mandatory reconsidertion s *117 appeals *£1,245,575 income generated Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Tackling Poverty Team number of mandatory reconsiderations / number of appeals lodged / income generated via MR and Appeal Page 20 of 60
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Income from Benefits Charts Action One – Maximising Income of North Lanarkshire Residents 2.9 2.10 Action Two – Maximising Income of Social Work Service Users 2.16 4888 9639 9990 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 Referrals From Social Work Appendix 2 Page 21 of 60
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Action Four & Five – Food Poverty 2.30 Page 22 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AG/JC Date 15/08/25 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026 Update – Reduce the Cost of Living From Alison Gordon, Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice E-mail gordonal@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01698 332001 1. Background 1.1 The Policy and Strategy Committee approved the refreshed ‘Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire’ Tackling - Poverty Strategy for 2023-2026 and the Local Child Poverty Executive Summary In line with the Plan for North Lanarkshire and the Programme of Work (Resilient People), the purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026, Local Child Poverty Action Report and associated Action Plans with a particular focus on the Reducing the Cost-of-Living Driver. As outlined within section 2.6 of this report, since the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty on 16th August 2024 the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group (TPOAG) which drives operational delivery of the plan have made a small number of additional adjustments to Cost of living Driver by revising 2 actions and adding in 2 actions which previously sat in Income from Benefits driver. All changes to actions are summarised at 2.6. Progress on all but three of the broad portfolios of actions under this theme has been assessed as ‘green’ indicating delivery is on course but ongoing. Recommendations It is recommended that the Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee: (1) Approve the update of the tackling poverty driver ‘Reduce the Cost of Living.’ The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements Programme of Work Resilient People Item 3 Page 23 of 60
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Action Report 2023, on 16th August 2024. The Strategy and Action Plans sets out our ambition to continue to tackle poverty and child poverty, building on our previous actions and some of the positive foundations achieved through the previous strategy for 2020-2023. The new and refreshed Tackling Poverty Strategy encompasses an integrated multi service approach within the Council, alongside an increased focus on working externally with all community planning partners, communities, and people with lived experience of poverty. 1.2 The Tackling Poverty Strategy supports the Plan for North Lanarkshire’s Programme of Work priorities and ambitions, promoting the strengths and skills of individuals and families, increasing economic activity, and providing practical and holistic support intervening upstream wherever possible to prevent the longer-term harms associated with poverty. 1.3 The Tackling Poverty Strategy within the Resilient People programme of work recognises the importance of not only increasing income through employment and maximisation of benefits with supports delivered holistically as set out in the Best Start, Bright Futures National Delivery Plan but also of reducing the outgoings for those experiencing and at risk of poverty and delivering a comprehensive Debt Advice service across a range of partners. The new Strategy reflects this, being structured around the four key drivers of: - • Increasing income via employment. • Maximising income via social security benefits. • Reducing the cost of living; and • Holistic Supports 1.4 The ‘Reduce the Cost-of-Living’ driver is an essential area of focus alongside the other drivers to support people experiencing poverty to cope with, and to mitigate impacts arising from the increased costs of fuel, food, and housing. Research from Joseph Rowantree Trust and Trussell Trust shows that, in 2023/24, a single adult needs at least around £120 per week to cover essentials, like food, utilities, vital household items and travel (excluding rent and council tax). But Universal Credit’s standard allowance is currently only £85 per week for a single adult aged 25 or over - a shortfall of at least £35 per week. Similarly, the shortfall is around £66 per week for a couple. Practical ways to reduce outgoings are an important way to ensure low incomes cover life’s essentials and avoid Food and Fuel Crisis becoming a reality for Families operating under increasing financial pressures. Our own consultation work in schools with children and young people which has informed our local strategy and action plan was notable in highlighting the multiple ways in which cost of living issues impacted on the lives of our children and communities. 1.5 Whilst maintaining strong links with other elements of the Council’s Programme of Work, Tackling Poverty is a core strand of the ‘Resilient People’ Programme, whose principal aim is to deliver whole family support locally, when families need it, in a way that is consistent with The Promise Principles and The Tackling Poverty Strategy. This will involve an integrated approach, working with partners, to provide an earlier and more effective response to need. This includes promoting the strengths and skills of individuals and families, increasing economic activity, and providing practical and emotional support, integrating this family support with the roll out of town and community hubs to maximise opportunities for community-led and strengths-based approaches. Page 24 of 60
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2. Report 2.1 The Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee held on 16th August 2024, was advised that the TPOAG agreed new monitoring templates for the tackling poverty drivers to allow us to track “How we will know if we are making a difference”, with each tackling poverty driver being the focus of TPOAG meetings, to allow the Group to analyse in detail each action, using national and local data (quantitative and qualitative) to ensure that the Actions within the driver, and the outcomes set by the Scottish Government and our Action Plan are being met 2.2 The TPOAG have created 20 new measures which will be embedded as part of the Strategic Performance Framework approved by the Resilient People Board in January 2024. 2.3 The monitoring of progress will also be supported implemented by the RAGG system first implemented in 2021/22 and which will continue to be applied to the Action Plan, for each of the poverty drivers; the details of which are. • Red – Action remains outstanding. • Amber – Work has started on this action but requires further work to complete. • Green – Action is completed and remains ongoing. • Grey – Action has been completed and requires no further action. 2.4 Using this approach, the Tackling Poverty Officer Action Group will identify actions which are complete (or ongoing), with those that are amber or red will be taken to the Resilient People Board for further consideration. 2.5 The ‘Reduce the Cost-of-Living’ driver brings together a diverse range of practical measures of help available locally to people, all contributing to reducing the amounts which Individuals and families must pay out to provide the basics required for everyday life. Provision of high-quality Debt Advice for those who are in financial difficulty also sits under this driver. 2.6 Over the lifetime of the Tackling Poverty Strategy the TPOAG have agreed changes to the Cost-of-Living Driver. These are summarised below. • Action 3 - Club 365 – removed May 2024 and actions around School Meal vouchers monitored via action 2 Free School Meals • Action 6 – Fuel Poverty North Lanarkshire Energy Advice Service – removed and replaced with Action 6 CAB energy Project 11th July 2025 • Action 14 – Furniture Fund – removed August 2024 • Action 17 – improved walking and wheeling and cycling network – moved to “Supporting the Strategy” August 2024 • Action 18 - The Multiply Project – moved to Holistic Support Driver August 2024 • Action 21 – Recycled Bike Initiative – revised to incorporate wider Cost of Living measures provided by Restorative Justice Service • Action 22 – Rent Assistance Fund – moved into Cost-of-Living Driver from Income from Employment August 2024 • Action 23 – Universal Credit Assistance Fund – moved into Cost-of-Living Driver from Income from Employment August 2024 Page 25 of 60
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2.6.1 NB: Although some actions have been removed the numbering of the actions within this report is in the original order to ensure it corresponds with the published Action Plan, with the changes reflected above noted against each original action number. 2.7 Action One – School Clothing Grants – The amount for school clothing grant has increased from £140 to £155 for primary school pupils and from £160- £180 for Secondary School pupils. In 2024/25, 11, 942 clothing grants were awarded which is 78 more than last year. Awards were made to 7,314 families which is 358 more than last year. 2.8 The application process is fully automated with joint applications for Clothing Grants and Free School Meals made online or via paper claim form. Applicants can opt to give consent for their data from Council Tax System to be shared, and this allows awards to be reviewed and automatically re-awarded for subsequent years which is designed to avoid parents having to complete two separate claim forms. Those in receipt of Free School Meals due to universal entitlement for all P1-P5 children may not realise that in order to qualify for a school clothing grant they have to complete the claim form. This is however anecdotal as no data is held on this. 2.9 TPOAG has agreed that Action One is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.10 Action 2 – Free School Meals (FSM) – In 2024/25 10, 743 were awarded a Free School Meal, which is 342 more than last year. Awards were made to 6,203 families which is 151 more than last year. 2.11 All children in Primary 1- 5 are entitled to FSM regardless of income. The next stage in the roll out of Universal Entitlement for children in P6 & 7 who are in receipt of Scottish Child Payment has identified an additional 250 children who will become entitled to FSM from August 2025. New Social Security Information Sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 will allow Social Security Scotland to share data with NLC including child and parents name and contact details, meaning parents can be directly contacted and advised to claim. Revs and Benefits will pass details to Tackling Poverty Team of any identified families who do not make a claim in order that Income Maximisation and help to claim can be offered. 2.12 Scottish Government announced in its Programme for Government in May 2025 that FSM entitlement would be rolled out to children in S1-S3 in receipt of Scottish Child Payment within some local authority areas. North Lanarkshire Council was one of many Local Authorities which applied for this funding but was not successful in this trial phase of the roll out, which will be independently reviewed with a view to future phases being rolled out in future. 2.13 School Meal Debt was recognised by Scottish Government as an increasing challenge for families and therefore a scheme made funding available to Local Authorities to allow all school meal debt to be written off for financial year ending March 2024. Unfortunately, the problem has not gone away and £77, 477.82 has accrued over the last financial year ending March 2025. 2.14 Accruing School Meal Debt is obviously a sign that a family is likely to be experiencing financial difficulties and Head Teachers have been encouraged to signpost Families to Tackling Poverty Team who can address underlying debt issues and ensure income is maximised. Information on Tackling Poverty Team remit and help available has been Page 26 of 60
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circulated to all Head Teachers through Education Newsletters but further work is required to encourage engagement with the Tackling Poverty Team. 2.15 School Meal Vouchers for holiday periods are paid for children who qualify for Free School Meals due to parents claiming certain means tested benefits. Payment rates stayed largely the same as last year with 49,700 individual payments made in 2024- 25, totalling £1, 499, 000. 6, 126 families benefitted from the payments. On average payments were made for 9,942 children and young people during School breaks throughout the year. In 2023/24 9999 pupils received total payment of for School Holiday periods. The total figure paid out in School Meal Vouchers was £1, 497, 503. 2.16 TPOAG has agreed that Action Two is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.17 Action 3 – Club 365 – Action three is removed from the Action Plan and the numbers of School Meal Vouchers paid monitored via action 2 – Free School Meals (above) 2.18 Action 4 – Educational Maintenance Allowance – 852 EMA successful awards were granted in 2024-25. The number of applications made has dropped slightly from 1537 in 2023/24 to 1492 in 2024/25. The downturn in claims is likely due to the qualification threshold being unchanged in the last few years resulting in fewer people applying based on self – assessment of their eligibility. The percentage of claims resulting in an award made has also decreased from 61.41% in 2023/24 to 57.10% 2024/25. 69 claims were ineligible due to levels of income. 571 unsuccessful awards related to applicants not submitting supporting evidence such as, proof of income, learning agreements etc. Although the EMA Team send regular reminders to all applicants across the academic year to submit the required information, more insight as to why applicants fail to submit evidence is needed and perhaps possible assistance offered re any barriers to completing application process. 2.19 This action is noted as amber on the RAGG status. 2.20 Action 5 – Uptake of Free School Meals in Situ – overall take up of FSM for those pupils entitled was 65-70% in 2023/24. In 2024/25 of those who are entitled to FSM in primary schools 62% of pupils take this up. In Secondary Schools 44% take up FSM. The national take up rate for primary education is 72.1% and for secondary is 62.7%. Facility Support Services continue to develop initiatives within their marketing plan to engage with both pupils and parents, with the key being to engage as early as possible. 2.21 TPOAG has agreed that Action Five is noted as amber on the RAGG status. 2.22 Action 6 – Fuel Poverty – The North Lanarkshire Energy Advice Service (NLEAS) funded for an initial 14-month period with a further 12-month extension came to an end in March 2025. In 2024/25 217 residents were assisted with specialist energy advice and support delivered by Wise Group. Representatives from Citizens Advice Bureaux in North Lanarkshire have proposed at the TPOAG meeting on 17th May 2024 that the Action Plan on Fuel Poverty should also capture information on work carried out by CAB Energy Project. It was proposed that the action re NLEAS should be removed and replaced with an action to capture the work of CAB energy project. 2.23 The CAB network in North Lanarkshire run 3 Energy focussed projects designed to help vulnerable clients with Advice, education, and support in dealing with fuel debt, understanding billing and energy efficiency. A holistic approach ensures maximisation Page 27 of 60
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of income and applications for other help available. In 2024/25 a total of 3,339 clients were supported with energy related queries. £750,660 in new energy debt was presented and 415 referrals to Home Energy Scotland were recorded on behalf of clients. £12,007 of client financial gain was recorded through energy debt, which was written off, together with £310,613 of income generated for clients presenting with energy related issues. 2.24 Residents experiencing Fuel Crisis can also be assisted by Tackling Poverty Team using a Cash First Approach. A Cash First Project Funded by Scottish Government and topped up with additional funding from NLC is hosted by Tackling Poverty Team and assists with both Food and Fuel Crisis. Those in crisis are assisted to access help from Scottish Welfare Fund but may also be given Interim Fuel Crisis Payments to alleviate immediate crisis. In 2024/25 520 Cash First payments of £49 were made totalling £25,384. This project is however temporary, and current funding will end in November 2025. 2.25 TPOAG have agreed that the action re NLEAS should be removed and replaced with the following action: Action 6 – Fuel Poverty – Cab Energy Project. 2.26 Action 7 – Affordable Credit – Those with the lowest incomes are known to face the least choice and highest rates of interest when accessing credit. The answer to this lies in the use of Credit Unions becoming mainstream for all, not just those who have lower incomes. 2.27 Scotwest Credit Union is one of the largest Credit Unions in Scotland and is open to anyone living or working in the West of Scotland. North Lanarkshire has the second highest membership with 7,900+ members. As a larger credit union Scotwest are also keen to assist smaller local credit unions to increase their membership and partnership work will be progressed through the Affordable Credit group a subgroup from the TPOAG. 2.28 Association of British Credit Unions Ltd (Scotland) is the main affiliation body for credit unions and has 16 credit unions in North Lanarkshire. It has not yet been possible to gain information on Membership numbers. Tackling Poverty Team are however in contact with ABCUL who will join the affordable credit group to take forward initiatives to improve access to Affordable Credit in North Lanarkshire. 2.29 The Scottish League of Credit Unions Ltd is the second affiliation body for credit unions and has 5 affiliated credit unions in North Lanarkshire - Antonine, Kilsyth, Newarthill, South Coatbridge and Wishaw. There are currently 9,368 adult members, a decrease in membership of 882 from last year. However, people are saving and borrowing more as the total amount in savings has increased from £22.6m to £22.75m and from £7.7m to £7.9m in borrowing. 2.30 Both SLCU and ABCUL have developed websites where people can easily find a credit union in their area and can also look at the full range of financial products on offer. An affordable credit web page has been devised by Tackling Poverty Team and is sited within NLC Web site to educate and provide choice of local affordable credit sources for residents. More partnership working between the Council and Credit Union Affiliation bodies is needed, and this will be taken forward by the Affordable Credit group. Page 28 of 60
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2.31 The Tackling Poverty Team have delivered 28 sessions on affordable credit to groups including restorative justice service users, Scania, Mears and NLC Apprentices, ESOL groups and Neighbourhood Networks. Topics covered include sourcing affordable credit, promoting credit unions, pitfalls of high interest borrowing including pay day loans and loan sharks. 2.32 TPOAG has agreed that Action Seven is noted as Green on the RAGG status. 2.33 Action 8 – Debt Advice – NLC Tackling Poverty Team received 2,367 referrals for debt advice in 2024/25, an increase of 375 from the previous year. The total amount of debt dealt with was £5,304,616.60 a decrease from £6,418,776 the previous year. 53 statutory debt solutions were processed including 41 bankruptcies and another 53 are ongoing. Cases continue to increase in complexity with 41% of all those approaching us for Debt help reported that they or their partner suffered from mental health issues. This figure rises to 63% of all allocated cases (TPT April 2024 – March 2025). 2.34 In May 2025 Moves were made to recognise the need to more closely align the Debt Advice Service with Housing in order that the Council’s tenants can have more direct and immediate access to Debt Advice Services. This was achieved by allocating each housing locality team a specific Debt Adviser who will be based I day per week within the locality and respective rents team (alternating week about). An early intervention approach will be taken in dealing with rent arrears with specialist debt advice solutions available to tenants as early in the rent arrears recovery process as possible. Briefings were delivered to all housing localities and Central Rents team on this approach and referrals encouraged from all frontline housing staff. Teams were briefed on exactly what the Debt Advice Service can do to assist tenants both to prioritise and pay their rent but also to find solutions for other debts they may have. 2.35 In 2024/25 Citizens Advice Bureaux across North Lanarkshire dealt with 2780 Debt advice enquiries under the terms of the funding agreement in place between CABS and NLC. In addition, they dealt with 3519 Debt advice enquiries out with the funding arrangements in place. 2.36 TPOAG has agreed that Action Eight is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.37 Action 9 – New Affordable Homes (NLC) – NLC continues to prioritise provision of good quality Energy Efficient and Affordable Homes and over the period April 2024 – March 2025 NLC have built 278 homes. 32 of the homes built are fully wheelchair accessible and 58 are larger 5 person homes. In total 62 new build sites have now been completed with 3 currently under construction and a further 11 sites with planning approved. 92 additional homes have been acquired via the Open Market Purchase Scheme. 2.38 Renewable Technologies are being embraced to achieve new homes which are highly energy efficient with enhanced levels of insulation and generation of energy is free at the point of use. Battery storage allows energy to be stored and used when the householder requires. Electric vehicle charging points are also provided where capacity allows. Renewable technologies now provide all new build homes with cleaner and more economical energy systems. Enhanced monitoring of air source and ground source heat pumps installed in the last year will take place over a full year cycle and will give detailed information on financial savings for tenants. 2.39 TPOAG has agreed that Action Nine is noted as green on the RAGG status. Page 29 of 60
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2.40 Action 10 – New Affordable Homes (Housing Associations and Cooperative Partners) – NLC working with a range of partners including Sanctuary Housing, Clyde Valley Housing Association, Places for People, Wheatley Group and Caledonia Housing Association have built a total of 81 homes, 1 of which was fully wheelchair accessible. More detail can be found in the Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026. 2.41 TPOAG has agreed that Action Ten is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.42 Action 11 – Improved Energy Efficiency (NLC housing) – In 2024/25, 99.4% of our homes in North Lanarkshire meet Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) D. This is slightly lower than 2023/24 at 99.5% due to increased alignment with the Scottish EPC register. Properties rated as E, F and G will be surveyed to confirm banding and remedial action for compliance. 2.43 TPOAG has agreed that Action Eleven is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.44 Action 12 – Improved Energy Efficiency (Privately owned properties) – Energy Efficient Scotland Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS) formerly known as (ECO4) funding is provided as part of the Government’s sustainable warmth strategy and targets vulnerable households on low incomes and/or with health issues. NLC claimed £1.5m of EES:ABS funding and £2.9m funding has been allocated for 2025/26. 2.45 TPOAG has agreed that Action Twelve is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.46 Action 13 – Support Homeowners to adapt their home – There were 251 disabled mandatory grant adaptations grant were provided to owners in 2024/25 with a total expenditure of £1,498,645. The Scheme of Assistance was reviewed in 2024 and revised in 2025. It continues to provide owners with advice and assistance to repair, maintain and adapt their homes. There is no longer funding available for owner grants for disrepair in North Lanarkshire. Disabled Adaptation grants are provided as mandatory assistance and are awarded where adaptations have been assessed as essential by Social Work Services, in line with the Prioritisation Framework. 2.47 TPOAG has agreed that Action Thirteen is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.48 Action 14 – Furniture Fund – provide Furniture items for those Homeless or at risk of Homelessness – this action was removed from the Action Plan in August 2024. 2.49 Action 15 – Support Homeowners to adapt, repair and maintain their homes (within mixed tenure blocks) – In 2024- 25 Improvements were undertaken to 96 flats in Airdrie, Kilsyth and Coatbridge and 8 houses in Motherwell. This entailed works on external wall insulation and cavity wall insulation as well as Solar PV Panels in houses and some flats. There are still ongoing challenges on gaining agreement for the works in mixed tenure blocks as owners are required to financially contribute. Furthermore, landlords who own three or more rental properties are not eligible for EES: ABS funding which can hamper progress of works in common properties. Ways to encourage owners to participate in common works in mixed tenure blocks are being explored. 2.50 TPOAG has agreed that Action Fifteen is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.51 Action 16 – Free Transport for under 22’s – Overall take-up for 2024/25 is 79% (matching the National Take up rate) with 52,843 cards issued. Take up rate is 5% up Page 30 of 60
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from 2023/24. Ages 5-10 years 13207 cards issued, 11-18years 30,694 cards and 19- 22years 8942 cards. 2.52 TPOAG has agreed that Action Sixteen is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.53 Action 17 – improved walking, wheeling and cycling network – moved to Supporting the Strategy. 2.54 Action 18 – The Multiply Project –moved to “Holistic Supports” Driver. 2.55 Action 19 – Address Period Poverty – Distribution Figures April 2024 - March 2025. In total across North Lanarkshire a total of 1,213,171 individual products have been distributed. This represents a significant increase from 733,692 distributed in 2023/24. 862,889 of the totals were distributed via community sites and 350, 282 via Education sites. 2.56 Marketing has continued with a renewed focus on social media, engaging with a variety of age groups. As part of a social media campaign Period Dignity Week took place in February 2025. This took place over 12 venues in 9 localities, with a focus on NLC Venues such as Sports Centres, Libraries, Community Hubs and NHS Health Centres. On average the attendance at events was 80-100 people with over 1,000 bags of products distributed for the week. A focus on education has seen engagement increasing and an uptake of orders. A newly appointed Project Officer has targeted meetings with head teachers; Cluster Improvement Leads and focus groups with pupils from three high schools within North Lanarkshire. Findings from these engagement sessions will be taken forward during the period 2025-26. Pick up site numbers have been maintained at 100+ across North Lanarkshire, with 8 Anchor Organisations overseeing reusable product distribution for each locality. 2.57 TPOAG has agreed that Action Nineteen is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.58 Action 20 – Support People to stop smoking to reduce outgoings – 2 pregnant women living in the 40% most deprived areas successfully quit smoking at 12 weeks. This is against a target for Q1 and Q2 of 15 women. Therefore, target was 13.33% achieved, compared to 32% achieved in 2023/24. (Published and validated data for April 2024 – March 2025 is expected October 2025). Engagement with pregnant women has reduced. The pregnancy service works with women who face multiple disadvantages including poverty, poor mental health or domestic abuse, some individuals are impacted by these factors that make their quit attempt more challenging to maintain. Due to a recent service redesign, increased capacity to support clients who wish to stop smoking has only recently been introduced to the “Quit Your Way” pregnancy service. Increased capacity will allow the team to increase visibility, facilitate face to face sessions with pregnant women and families in the community. Future work plans include working collaboratively with maternity services to offer women face to face appointments with health improvement practitioners alongside their antenatal appointments and refer or signpost as appropriate to other services. 2.59 Training programme delivered in 2024-25 included Tobacco Dependency in Pregnancy training delivered to 101 first year student midwives at University of West of Scotland, Induction training delivered to 7 newly qualified midwives, 25 staff members from NHS Lanarkshire have completed Very Brief Advice module on smoking in pregnancy online. 2.60 TPOAG has agreed that Action Twenty is noted as amber on the RAGG status. Page 31 of 60
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2.61 Action 21 – recycled bike initiative- North Lanarkshire Justice Service bike recycling workshop refurbish bikes donated by individuals or discarded in recycling centers. The bikes are distributed to local community groups, schools, and individuals, improving health and wellbeing and transport access. The workshop manned by Justice Service Users also undertakes bike repair for individuals who can’t afford this themself. In total 1443 hours of unpaid work were completed through this initiative resulting in 364 bikes being donated to individuals within our community. 2.62 Restorative Justice woodwork workshop teaches joinery skills which enables bespoke items to be made from reclaimed wood pallets destined for landfill. Partnerships working with family learning centers, nurseries, schools, and communities have seen unpaid work, service users involved in construction of outdoor classrooms and play equipment. In total 554 items have been constructed and utilised within our communities. 2.63 In partnership with local housing colleagues and school staff, Restorative Justice unpaid work team has facilitated learning events at our community allotments in Townhead and Clydeside. These events enable children and people in the local community to learn how to grow their own produce. Participants can take away some produce and can later experience the harvesting of produce. In total 2876 hours of work have been completed within our allotments. Justice Service users made a real positive impact in local communities by supplying 173 bread baskets of fresh produce, 79 mixed bags of produce and 2,300 eggs. Local residents in the Townhead and Wishaw areas were able to help themselves to produce at stalls at the allotments. Additionally, 104 emergency food provisions were made. 193 draught excluders were gifted to local sheltered housing complexes, foodbanks, and the public. 2.64 TPOAG has agreed that Action Twenty-One is noted as green on the RAGG status but should be reworded to reflect the wider cost of living contribution made by Restorative Justice, rather than just recycled bike initiative. 2.65 Action 22 – Rent Assistance Fund (moved from action 12 increasing income from social security benefits) The Rent Assistance Fund is funded through the Housing Revenue account and is awarded to NLC tenants experiencing financial hardship due to the cost-of-living crisis. 671 awards were made in 2024/25 compared to 1,060 in 2023/24. The reduction in awards is due to volume of applications to the Universal Credit Assistance Fund (see 2.58 below). 2.66 The maximum amount payable from the fund is £2,250 (this level was set due to the previous moratorium for passing cases to court). The Fund continues to have a positive impact and encourage tenants to engage with the Central Rents Team and successfully sustain their tenancies. The award of funding has also prevented court action and evictions from going ahead. A financial assessment is carried out for every tenant who makes an application to the Fund, ensuring tenants income is maximised. 2.67 TPOAG has agreed that Action twenty-two is noted as green on the RAGG status. 2.68 Action 23 – Universal Credit Assistance Fund (moved from action 13 Income from Employment) 3,928 awards were made in 2024/25, up from 1,908 awards made the previous year. The Rent Assistance Fund is funded through the Housing Revenue account and is awarded to NLC tenants experiencing hardship when claiming housing costs as part of their Universal Credit application. The Fund receives an extremely high volume of applications, mainly due to the numbers of people migrating from housing Page 32 of 60
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benefit to universal credit. These tenants may never have had to deal with paying rent before, as this was paid direct to NLC via housing benefit. Due to the 5-week waiting period for Universal Credit many tenants are accruing rent arrears. By awarding this funding rent arrears and financial hardship for the tenant are avoided and tenants can continue to sustain their tenancy. 2.69 TPOAG has agreed that Action Twenty-three is noted as green on the RAGG status. 3. Measures of success 3.1 The successful delivery and outcomes of the 2023 – 26 Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy Action Plan. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix One – Updated Action Plan – “Reduce the Cost of Living” April 2024 – March 2025. Alison Gordon Chief Social Work Officer Page 33 of 60
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Tackling Poverty is fully aligned with the requirements of the Fairer Scotland Duty, its purpose being to reduce the inequalities caused by socio economic disadvantage. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Page 34 of 60
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Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group Subgroup - Communications Plan 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Tackling Poverty has been identified as a Corporate Risk, with the Chief Social Work Officer as the risk lead. Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy sets out a planned approach which seeks to eliminate poverty or make very significant reductions in the level of poverty resulting in benefit to the residents and including improvement in the overall level of health and wellbeing of communities. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Page 35 of 60
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Actions to tackle poverty including those described in this report support a number of fundamental rights within the conventions however as this report updates on actions already agreed no CRWIA has been undertake. A CRWIA will be undertaken when the Strategy and Action Plan are fully updated in 2026. If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 36 of 60
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Key TP Strategy Key TP Strategy Only TP Strategy and LCPAR No. Action Brief Description How We Measure Success Links to Other Strategies Link to Prog. Of Work 2022 /23 Baseline 2023/24 Outcomes 2024/25 Outcomes 2025/26 Outcomes Timescales Status Identify if applies to TPS &/or LCPAR Lead Team Monitoring Information 1 Increase uptake of School Clothing Grants Introduce online application form for FSM & CG Continue to automatically award where we have customer consent Use automation to process our auto award caseload The number of School Clothing Awards increases The Plan for North Lanarkshire Brighter Futures 12,784 Clothing Grants awarded from June 2022 - May 2023 For School Pupils. An additional 937 Grants for made for nursery pupils 11,864 Clothing Grants awarded from June 2023 - May 2024 For School Pupils. TBC Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Revenues & Benefits The number of clothing grants claimed and distributed 2 Increase uptake of Free School Meal Awards Introduce online application form for FSM & CG Continue to automatically award where we have customer consent Use automation to process our auto award caseload The number of Children entitled to Free School Meals increases The Plan for North Lanarkshire Brighter Futures 12,151 FSM awards in 2020, 11,176 awards in 2021, 10,683 awards in 2022 10,401 FSM * No of school meal holiday vouchers issued 9999 pupils total value of £1, 497,503 TBC Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Revenues & Benefits The number of Children in receipt of Free School Meals Tackling Poverty Strategy Action Plan 2023 - REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING Local Child Poverty Action Plan 2023 - 26 Page 37 of 60
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3 Club 365 Promote Activities and meal provision through Club 365 Initiative Numbers of Children attending and meals provided. £2.50 per day paid during school holidays to those in receipt of FSM The Plan for North Lanarkshire Brighter Futures Club 365 has provided over 88, 000 meals and activity sessions since inception N/A N/A Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Revenues & Benefits Numbers of Meals and Activity Sessions Delivered 4 Increase uptake of education maintenance allowance (EMA) Ensure full take of Education Maintenance Allowance. Promotion of EMA through Education Newsletter to schools and locally within schools to raise pupil awareness. Review publicity - posters leaflets etc not distributed recently Discussion within EMA and SMT meetings on improving up-take. Young People can access EMA Financial Strategy Brighter Futures in 22/23 1327 applications. 876 awards. 66% award rate (down from 73% award rate in 21/22) in 23/24 1537 applications. 944 awards. 61% award rate (down from 66% award rate in 22/23) 1492 awards made in 2024/25 57.10% 2024/25 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Revenues & Benefits The number of EMA grants claimed Page 38 of 60
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5 Increase take up of Free School Meals In situ •Trial new methods of engagement with parents and carers, e,g attend parent council meetings and inviting parents for a school meal and information session •New management information system to give insights into trends, most popular choices, which ages take up free meals •Work with other local authorities developing menus, to improve sustainability and better safety and choice for those with special diets (>>ASIST and APSI) •Work with schools around different “sittings”, and overflow areas. •Capital investment to return more schools to Production kitchens •Continued roll out of electronic menu notifications to parents and carers •Consultation with secondary school pupils via a QR code (promoted via a ‘Tell us what you think’ poster displayed around schools allowing pupils to scan / access via mobiles) •Primary school parents online survey (targeted via menu email / school newsletter email and also placed on NLC website on menu page) •Primary pupil surveys (via either focus groups / school meals mystery shopping / pupil surveys designed specific to age groups (P1-3 / P4-7) Percentage of Children taking up free school meals when they have entitlement is increased Poverty Proofing in Schools Brighter Futures Currently (May 2023) at 65-70% (May 2024) at 65-70% 2024/25 of those who are entitled to FSM in primary schools 62% take up rate. Secondary Schools 44% take up rate. The national take up rate for primary education is 72.1% and for secondary is 62.7%. Ongoing launched and ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Facilities Support Services Take up rates for Free School Meals Page 39 of 60
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6 Fuel Poverty Provision of a short term funded Energy Advice Service to comprehensively alleviate the levels of fuel poverty evperienced by vulnerable households. HES no of referrals from NL. CAB energy project nos of referrals Number of households assisted Local Housing Strategy Sustaina ble Futures Unknown as SHCS data unavailable for Local Authorities however, zero has been used as the starting point for the introduction of this service 159 households assisted 2023/24 2024/25 217 residents assisted, Funding ceased March 2025 ACtion revised to read "CAB energy project" 2 years launched and ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Solutions will be monitored via NLAN and Wise Group reporting 7 Affordable Credit To promote credit unions across North Lanarkshire employers and communities to encourage more people to join to increase access to affordable credit. To widen access to payroll deduction for credit unions and access to affordable credit. Establish a Credit Union Forum in North Lanarkshire Credit union membership numbers *Local Employers signing up to CU payroll deductions Plan for North Lan Resilient People 5 credit unions affiliated to the Scottish League of Credit Unions have 9,642 adult members and 1,462 junior members. Unable to get contacts for ABCUL credit unions at present. 5 credit unions affiliated to the Scottish League of Credit Unions have 10,250 adult members and 1,460 junior members. Unable to get contacts for ABCUL credit unions at present. ABCUL scotland 16 affiliated CU in NL with ?? members (TBC) SLCU 5 affiliated CUs in NL with 7,900+ members. Scotwest has 7,900 members ongoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team The number of employers promoting payslip deductions The number of people joining the credit union 8 Debt Advice Advice and support in relation to debt and budgeting advice provided by Council and Externally commissioned advice services assist people out of debt and provide them with the tools to budget accordingly Plan for North Lan Resilient People 1744 referrals received in 2022/23 NLC TPT) 1886 referrals received in 2023/24. (NLC TPT) 3,846 referrals (CABx) NLC DA 2,367 referrals. NLC TPT dealt with £5,304,616 of debt. CAB 3846 referrals. CAB dealt with £4,040,913 of debt Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR The Tackling Poverty Team Number of referrals to the Debt Advice Team Level of debt assisted Page 40 of 60
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9 New Affordable Homes Deliver 5000 new affordable homes by 2035 reduce the cost of living by increasing the supply of energy efficient, affordable homes Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026. Local Child Poverty Action Report. Transfor ming Places At 1 December 2022, 1,566 homes delivered (970 new build + 596 OMPS) Since 1 December 2023, 541 new homes delivered (381 new build + 160 OMPS) April 2024 – March 2025 370 new homes in total. NLC have built 278 homes and acquired additional 92 from OMPS 2035 Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing New Supply Number of new homes built 10 New Affordable Homes Support housing association and co-operative partners to deliver new homes reduce the cost of living by increasing the supply of energy efficient, affordable homes Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026. Local Child Poverty Action Report. Transfor ming Places 2126 homes have been delivered 318 homes have been built since 1st Dec 2022. 2444 homes have been delivered 81 homes built working with 5 partners ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing New Supply Number of new homes built 11 Improved Energy Efficiency in NLC Housing Stock Ensure all lettable housing stock is EPC D or above by 2025 by improving energy efficiency all housing stock is EPC D or above by 2025 Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026. Local Child Poverty Action Report. Sustaina ble Futures At 2021/22, 99.2% of the homes are at D or above 99.5% of all NLC housing stock is rated EPC D or above Down slightly to 99.4% of NLC stock rated at EPC D or above Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Investment all housing stock is EPC D or above by 2025 12 Improve Energy Efficiency to owner occupied properties EES:ABS Scottish Government funding if avaliable Provide advice to households on energy efficiency measures supoprted by online information and in person advice provided by council and CVS. Reduce the cost of living by increasing the energy efficieny of homeowners housing stock Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026. Local Child Poverty Action Report. Sustaina ble Futures £0.1 m spent In 2023/24 it is expected that £2m will be spent on private owned properties £1.5m of EES:ABS funding claimed. £2.9m allocated for 2025/26 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Solutions Number of homes approved Page 41 of 60
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13 Support homeowners to adapt their homes deliver advice and assistance to homeowner through the Scheme of Assistance reduce the cost of living by preventing and addressing disrepair and improving health and wellbeing by suporting owners to adapt their homes Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026. Transfor ming Places 187 disabled adaptations grant provided in 2022 - the scheme has been revised with no funding available for owner grants 236 disabled adaptations grant provided in 2023 - the scheme has no funding available for owner grants 251 disabled mandatory grant adaptations grant were provided to owners in 2024/25 with a total expenditure of £1,498,645 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy Only Private Sector Housing reduce the cost of living by preventing and addressing disrepair and improving health and wellbeing by suporting owners to adapt their homes. *Revision of scheme of assistance completed. Other than mandatory (Disabled Adaptation Grants) no funding available for owner grants for disrepair. Current grant funding for NLC capital programmes is scheduled to end this year and no new financial assistance has been identified. Owners will continue to be provided with advice/ assistance when possible but no financial assistance Page 42 of 60
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14 Furniture Fund Provides items beyond SWF- Community Care Grant items in place for Housing First clients and people people who are homeless/at risk of homelessness Reduce the cost of living by providing financial support for better quality furniture to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to settle in their accommodati on. Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026. Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan. Local Child Poverty Action Report. Resilient People In 2021/22, 23 Housing First households assisted at an average figure of £861.39 per household from RRTP. N/A N/A Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy Only Housing Solutions Reduce the cost of living by providing financial support for better quality furniture to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to settle in their accommodation 15 Support homeowners to adapt, repair and maintain their homes (within mixed tenure blocks) Where NLC investment programme includes owners in blocks with NLC staff, liase though voluntary agreement, enforcement where appropriate, EES:ABS programmes as appropriate reduce the cost of living by increasing the supply of energy efficieny of housing stock across all tenures Local Housing Strategy Resilient People 99.2% of the homes are at D or above 99.2% of the homes are EPC D or above Improvement s were undertaken to 96 flats in Airdrie, Kilsyth and Coatbridge and 8 houses in Motherwell Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Solutions Number of home owners assisted 16 Free Transport for Under 22's Promote and Maximise uptake of Free Bus Travel for 5-21 year olds Number of travel cards issued and in use Active Travel Strategy Resilient People 42,160 total number issued. 61.75% overall 48,579 total number issued. 72% overall uptake 79% in 2024/25. 52, 843 cards issued ongoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR CLD number of travel cards provided 17 Improved and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling network. Creating or enhancing active travel routes will improve the ability of all people to walk, wheel or cycle for any journey purpose within North Lanarkshire Equity of access for all our communities with mid term target of 50km to be created by 2026/27 Active Travel Strategy Resilient People 7.8 kms of active travel routes created in 2021/22 N/A - see 'Supporting the Plan' Driver N/A 125kms to be created by 2032 Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Transporta tion / Planning number of travel routes 18 The Multiply Project N/A N/A N/A Resilient People N/A N/A - see 'Supporting the Plan' Driver N/A N/A N/A N/A TP Strategy and LCPAR N/A N/A Page 43 of 60
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19 Address Period Poverty Provide women with access to period products within education and other public buildings Develop Peer Support Programme Expand number of council building access points- expand community group partnerships from 8- 10 areas- develop recording to better understand demand and distribution-consider period card scheme. Distribution across all of North Lanarkshire. Number of products distributed The Plan for North Lanarkshire Resilient People 311, 767 products to NLC establishmen ts (excluding education and culture venues) 87,396 to education 733,692 products were distributed in total. (82,596 to NHS sites & 651,096 to NLC sites) 1,213,171 total products delivered (862,889 of the total were distributed via community sites and 350, 282 via Education sites) Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Enterprise and Communiti es Number of products delivered and taken up 20 Support people to stop smoking to reduce outgoings Stopping smoking can have a positive impact of finances as well as health. Brief intervention and referral to the Quit Your Way service in Lanarkshire can support people to successfully quit smoking. Pregnant women are a particularly key target group. Yearly target 23/24 for 52 pregnant women who live in 40% most deprived areas to successfully stop smoking at 12 weeks (to be reviewed in 2024 after national tobacco control action plan is published). Awareness raising training sessions to be completed with Tackling Poverty staff. NHS Cost of Living Strategy Resilient People 24 pregnant women living in the 40% most deprived areas successfully quit smoking at 12 weeks (April 2022- Dec 2022 data). Published and confirmed data for April 2022 – March 2023 will be available in January 2024. NL % of pregnant women smoking at booking in appt 12.6% year ending Dec 2022 (scotland rate 11.9%) 28 pregnant women living in the 40% most deprived areas successfully quit smoking at 12 weeks (April 2023- Dec 2023 data). NL % of pregnant women smoking at booking in appt 12.7% year ending Dec 2022 (scotland rate 11%) 2 pregnant women living in the 40% most deprived areas successfully quit smoking at 12 weeks (Q1 & Q2) This is against a target for Q1 and Q2 of 15 women. Therefore, target was 13.33% achieved, compared to 32% achieved in 2023/24. Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR NHS Lanarkshir e Quit Your Way Service Number of Tackling Poverty staff members trained. Number of pregnant women supported to stop smoking. Page 44 of 60
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21 Recycled Bicycle Initiatives Individuals subject to unpaid work work within the bicycle recycling project Bicycles provided to low income families and donated to the Christmas Toy Appeals Justice Partnership Resilient People 320 bicycles recycled 320 bicycles recycled 2022/23. Programme of bike maintenance underway 364 bikes recycled in 2024/25 Additional Measures to tackle poverty also underway. ACtion is revised to "Action 20 - Tackling Poverty Measures - restorative justice" ongoing ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Restorativ e Justice Number of bikes restored 22 Rent Assistance Fund (moved from Income from Benefits Driver Rent Assistance Fund – to assist people who have experienced/are experiencing financial difficulty due to the increase in the cost of living. If tenant has received a previous award of funding from SG – TGF or SC Lacer Fund – they will not be eligible. Tenants can receive a maximum award of £2250 and this funding is not re- payable (fund allocation £1,000,000) Fund directed to people in need Local Housing Strategy Resilient People 522 grants awarded in 22/23 1050 grants awarded in 23/24 (103% increase) 671 awards were made in 2024/25 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy Only Housing Services number of payments made 23 Universal CRedit Assistance Fund (moved from Income from Benefits Driver UCAF award is to assist tenants who have fallen behind with their rent due to the 5 week waiting period, and tenants who are in receipt of Universal credit are eligible to apply People can access the fund, it requires to be paid back, however, this is at an affordable level - the fund ensures that people can remain in their own home with their arrears being managed. Local Housing Strategy Local Housing Strategy 522 grants awarded in 2022/23 1,908 awards made 23/24 3,928 awards were made in 2024/25 Ongoing Ongoing TP Strategy and LCPAR Housing Services number of payments made Page 45 of 60
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Wellbeing and Tackling Poverty Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AG/JC Date 15/08/25 Tackling Poverty Team Activity Report 2024 to 2025 From Alison Gordon, Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) E-mail gordonal@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01698 332001 Executive Summary This report provides details of the income maximisation work carried out by the Tackling Poverty Team and Council Services during 2024/25 which generated £55,340,045 in additional benefit income for the residents of North Lanarkshire an increase of 14% from last year. It also highlights the activity of the External Services commissioned by the Council which generated £7,650,115 in additional benefit income for the residents of North Lanarkshire. Over this period whilst inflation has been less acute, the cumulative effects of the cost-of-living crisis have continued to impact on our communities, bringing the importance of income maximisation and wider work to tackle poverty into sharp focus and highlighting the impact of low paid and insecure work in particular. Local approaches to tackling poverty and reducing inequality in North Lanarkshire, continue to be driven by the ‘Towards a Fairer ‘North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy with activity focused on the key drivers of poverty and an integrated whole systems approach overseen by our Resilient People programme and multi-agency Tackling Poverty Offices Action Group (TPOAG). As previously reported, the establishment of the Cost of Living Helpline in 2023 supported by a two year funding commitment from the Health and Social Care Partnership enhanced capacity and contributed to a 41% increase in benefit checks undertaken over the period 2023/24 whilst in 2024/25, there had been a further increase of 14% in the number of benefit checks completed for residents; rising from 26,158 benefit checks completed in 2023/24 to 29,819 benefit checks. The report provides further information on the Tackling Poverty Team operational activity whilst also updating on the continued programme of Welfare Reform and its impact as well as the challenges which the Council, partners and our communities will face over the next three to four years. Item 4 Page 47 of 60
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1. Background 1.1 Due to the complexity of the benefits system, general and specialist welfare rights services are crucial to individuals and family’s dependent on out of work and in-work benefits. The Tackling Poverty Team provide support and assistance to staff to raise awareness and promote the range of state benefits and directly assist service users to claim all benefits to which they are entitled. The main thrust of all welfare rights work is the maximisation of income for individuals, indirectly benefitting the council and supporting the wider community and economy of North Lanarkshire. Given the poverty levels within North Lanarkshire, it is important that the Council mobilises its resources to tackle poverty amongst service users and the wider community. 1.2 The Tackling Poverty Team, Social Work Services and Housing Solutions provide service users and members of the public with advice and assistance on a wide variety of benefit-related issues. A full benefits check is offered to all new service users. Income maximisation also plays a vital role in longer term Social Work services such as Community Care, Children and Families, Kinship Care, Justice Services, Mental Health, and Addictions. 1.3 A key role of the Tackling Poverty Team is to provide a income maximisation service through the First Point of Contact Team to residents, to provide support for frontline teams to ensure income maximisation is embedded in the practice of all Services, including specialist Social Work Services, Education Services and Housing Services in addition to representing clients at tribunals and hearings via the Resolutions Team. Successful welfare rights intervention, where individuals are awarded extra benefit, frequently means that, as a result of increased income, they are better able to manage their own affairs and may decrease demand on social work and other services. 1.4 Since 2011, the service and our communities have also benefitted from financial contributions from a number of partner organisations to help fund programmes aimed at reducing the impact of welfare reform. These additional resources, which to date amount to approximately £4.1m, have been used to; enhance capacity to deal with the significant increase in demand for representation, training, advice, information, and support. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: (1) Approve the Report and (2) Remit the report to the Integration Joint Board for information. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (11) Increase economic opportunities for adults by understanding, identifying, and addressing the causes of poverty and deprivation and barriers to financial inclusion Programme of Work Resilient People Page 48 of 60
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1.5 In November 2022, the Joint Integration Board committed funding of £300,000 per year for 2023/24 and 2024/2025 to allow the Tackling Poverty Team to recruit additional staff and supporting the Council to establish a ‘Cost of Living Helpline’. 1.6 Clearly the continuing high level of demand presents a future challenge for the service given the temporary nature of funding supporting additional capacity. At the end of 2024 the Integrated Joint Board however agreed that the underspend in the committed budget for 2023/25 which had arisen from a lag in recruitment could be rolled over to support delivery in period 2025/26, Together with additional funding reprofiled from non-recurring underspend within Children and Families this will support continuation of an enhanced service until the end of the current financial year allowing time for partners to consider future arrangements. 1.7 Over the past number of years, progress in developing comprehensive local approaches to tackling poverty have been framed around the key drivers of poverty, via the Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy 2023 to 2026. 1.8 The challenges that the Council and partners have faced in delivering our ambitions with respect to Tackling Poverty over the next three years include the ongoing recovery from Covid-19, the Cost-of-Living Crisis, rising energy costs, fuel increases, high inflation for food and other goods, the impact of the conflict in Ukraine. This is within a context of the continuing programme of Welfare Reform led by the UK Government but also the roll out of changes to areas of benefit support now devolved to the Social Security Scotland. 2. Report Income Maximisation 2.1 There has been a considerable increase in demand for the Tackling Poverty Team welfare rights service which has seen the average number of referrals per month received by the team rising from 1180 in 2023/24 to 1,233 referrals per month in 2024/25. A 4.5% increase. 2.2 This and increased focus and awareness raising, supported an increase of 41% in benefit checks completed in 2023/24 and there has been a further increase of 14% in the number of benefits checks completed for residents; rising from 26,158 benefit checks completed in 2023/24 to 29,819 benefit checks completed in 2024/25. 2.3 The additional benefit income generated by the Tackling Poverty Team and other council services also increased by 14%, over the previous period with a total of £55,340,045 of additional benefit income generated via claims, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals for benefits. 2.4 As reflected in last year’s activity report the increase in referrals has had an impact on response times, with the normal call back of 3-5 working days, moving to 5-7 days to meet that demand. At times it has been necessary to move this to 7 – 10 days again to meet the demand placed on the service. 2.5 North Lanarkshire Council is the largest local authority landlord in Scotland with circa 36, 315 houses. In addition, the local Registered Social Landlord sector owns and manages approximately 9,000 properties. It is estimated that around 58.5% of social tenants are in receipt of Housing Benefit (57.3% in the council housing sector). Page 49 of 60
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2.6 Early intervention with income maximisation assists in the prevention of rent arrears and the sustainability of tenancies. 2.7 Housing advisors provide basic information and advice to vulnerable tenants and homeless people, concentrating on housing benefit to ensure people can pay their rent. They receive welfare rights training and are supported by Welfare Rights Officers from the Tackling Poverty Team (TPT). 2.8 From 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, Housing Services generated £20,075,184 in benefits for 8,995 new and existing tenants, making 11,484 claims for benefits of which 5,662 were claims for Housing Benefit (including Supported Accommodation), Discretionary Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Scheme (which is a direct income for the Council and in the longer term contributes to the sustainability of tenancies). 2.9 Similarly, the TPT, together with Social Work Services completed 29,819 Benefit Checks in 2024/25 generating an income to local residents of £31,035,255 with additional financial gains of £806,783, (benefits, charities, and energy suppliers etc.) generated via Debt Advisors within the FIT. 2.10 The MacMillan Lanarkshire Advice Service is provided by North Lanarkshire Council and provides home visits, telephone interviews, office visits and surgeries in local hospitals, the TPT manages this service. Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, there were 857 referrals to the service, (an increase of 157 from last year), of which 43% were for SR1/BASRiS cases (terminally ill). Income generated in 2024/25 was £3,422,823 for those residents referred affected by cancer. 2.11 The table below summarises the income maximisation work undertaken throughout the year: Social Work / TPT £31,035,255 Housing Services £20,075,184 Macmillan Lanarkshire Service £3,422,823 Charities, and energy suppliers £806,783 Total £55,340,045 2.12 The TPT and Social Work Service generated 60.72% of the Council total, with Housing Solutions making up the remaining 39.28%. In cost/benefit terms, it is worth noting that every £1 invested by the Council in income maximisation during 2024/25 generated £30.37 for residents and the local economy, in 2023/24 the cost/benefit was for every £1 invested generated £26.30 for residents and the local economy. 2.13 The Improvement Service Common Advice Performance Management Reporting Framework 2024/25 reported that from an over Scottish perspective for every £1 of local authority funding invested in money and welfare rights advice resulted in £12 financial gain for clients. 2.14 The Tackling Poverty Team also received 8,758, referrals from Elected Members, MSP’s/MP’s, NHSL and other agencies, for welfare rights and debt advice. Page 50 of 60
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Appeals 2.15 The Tackling Poverty Team, Resolutions Team provide representation for residents at mandatory reconsideration stage and Social Security Appeals which is a core element of a Welfare Rights Officer’s work. During 2024/25, Welfare Rights Officers represented at 286, mandatory reconsideration stage with a success rate of 66% and represented residents at 287 appeals (a slight increase on the previous year). 2.16 The overall success rate for Social Security Appeal Tribunals by the Tackling Poverty Team was 79.8%, which is the same as last year and above the national average of 63%. Debt Advice 2.17 The Tackling Poverty Team received 2,367 referrals for Money Advice/Debt Advice during 2024/25 from residents, elected members, CABx, Health and Social Care Services, Education, Housing Services, NHS Lanarkshire and other Advice and Information agencies. 2.18 The team dealt with 53 Debt Payment Programmes (DPP) and 42 Bankruptcies were awarded. The cost-of-living crisis and people’s circumstances continuing to be unstable and has impacted on the number of formal debt solutions being accessed. This year saw a further increase in the number of payment/crises breaks, variations and revocations being dealt with by the team for current Debt Payment Programme’s. The total debt dealt with was £5,304,617M. Customers Survey 2.19 Following the introduction of the Cost-of-Living Helpline the Tackling Poverty Team have introduced a text survey for residents referred to the Team. The numbers of the returned text surveys are low (407) in relation to the number of referrals in 2024/25, (work is continuing to increase returns during 2025/2026), we are able to report that, 84% of those were self-referrals and the remaining 16% coming from Health, other Council Services and Elected Members etc. 2.20 The main reason for referrals was for benefit advice (income maximisation), followed by money advice, food and fuel poverty, mandatory reconsiderations and representation at Social Security Appeals Tribunals. 2.21 Overall, 90% of residents were happy with the quality of advice provided by the team, 90% were happy with the timescales of the Tackling Poverty Team response time and 90% were happy with the ease of access to the team, with the main channel still by telephone and email. Online self-referrals are available on the Council website for Money Advice, but to date this has been low (8) from April 2024 to March 2025. 2.22 Of the 10% who were unhappy with the service, the reason for this were around the outcomes of their appeals e.g. unsuccessful, or the delay in the waiting time for the date of the appeal, both of which are out with the control of the service. Training 2.23 Throughout 2024/25, the TPT has provided over 100 training sessions to Council Services and External Partners, via online video tools, face to face covering tackling poverty awareness sessions, updates on benefits, welfare reforms and legislation, Page 51 of 60
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financial assessments, employment and support allowance, Migrant Workers and other welfare benefits-related subjects. 2.24 The TPT also maintains and updates online e-learning training packages for the Scottish Welfare Fund, Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit, which are available to all council services, elected members and partners via their online platforms. External Services 2.25 The Tackling Poverty Team commissions and monitors external advice services and has carried out monitoring visits of each Citizen Advice Bureaux as specified in the funding agreement and can provide assurances that each provider is meeting the outcomes agreed in the funding agreement and are providing a quality advice and information service in line with the Scottish National Standards for Advice and Information Providers, their locality profiles, and the Council’s 5 Strategic priorities. 2.26 The External Services have had 7,297 welfare rights enquiries, 3,216 Housing Advice enquiries with 4,631 referred to other agencies, 4,692 Money Advice enquiries with 2,780 referred to other agencies and completed 5,356 Benefit Checks in 2024/2025, generating benefit income to local residents of £7,650,115. 2.27 In cost/benefit terms, every £1 invested by the Council in External Services during 2024/25 generated £20.83 for residents and the local economy. 2.28 It is important to reaffirm that the Council commissions the External Services to provide specific advice and information services (not CAB Services) and that they receive other funding from funders, the above activity and income generated information relates only to the funding that these external services receive from the Council. Legislative/Policy Changes (Welfare Reforms) 2.29 The UK and Scottish Government’s has announced plans for major changes to the benefits system, below is an outline of the changes initiated in or planned for 2025-26: Benefit changes timetable 2025 Please note that information about some of these changes may be limited at present and also subject to further change. January 2025 In Scotland, people getting Attendance Allowance started to be automatically transferred to the new Pension Age Disability Payment. March 2025 In Scotland, the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) replaced Attendance Allowance in 13 Local Authority areas (Including North Lanarkshire). In Scotland, the transfer of people from Carer’s Allowance to Carer’s Support Payment was expected to be complete. In Scotland, the transfer of people getting Disability Living Allowance to Adult Disability Payment and Scottish Adult DLA was expected to begin. Page 52 of 60
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April 2025 The Tax Credit service closed on 5 April 2025, and all remaining accounts are closed. Social security benefits will go up by 1.7%. (UK and Scotland) The earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance increased from £151 to £196. The National Minimum Wage rose by 6% - • For people aged 21 and over it rose to £12.21 per hour. • For 18- to 20-year-olds it rose to £10.00 per hour. • For apprentices and those under 18 rose to £6.40. In Scotland, the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) that is replacing Attendance Allowance was rolled out nationally on 22 April 2025. The New and Basic State Pensions, and the Minimum Guaranteed element of Pension Credit increased by 4.1%. The Scottish Child Payment was increased to £27.15 per week, per child - £108.60 every four weeks – to help towards the costs of looking after each child under 16 for families who get certain benefits. July 2025 Changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), as outlined in the government’s Spring 2025 statement will now not take place, however, a review of Personal Independence Payments led by the Disabilities Minster aims to conclude in the autumn of 2026. The review will consider these and more: • Role of the PIP assessment – as the future single gateway to health related and disability benefits. • The assessment criteria – including activities, descriptors and points. • Whether any other evidence should be considered alongside the assessment. • How the PIP assessment could provide fair access to support across the benefit system. September 2025 Legacy benefits are ending. All managed migration notices are expected to be sent by the end of September 2025. November 2025 In Scotland, the new benefit Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is expected to be launched, replacing the Winter Fuel Payment. December 2025 Across the UK, the transfer of people on income-related ESA to Universal Credit is expected to be complete. In Scotland, the Winter Heating Payment 2025/26 is expected to be paid to eligible households. Page 53 of 60
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Benefit changes timetable 2026 Please note that information about some of these changes may be limited at present and also subject to further change. From April 2026, the rules around how much people get and who can claim Universal Credit (UC) are set to change. March 2026 All legacy benefits will end on 31 March 2026. No more payments will be made. April 2026 Social security benefits across the UK and Scotland will increase. Introduction of changes to Universal Credit, as outlined in the government’s Spring 2025 statement. The Universal Credit Bill was approved by parliament on 9th July 2025. These changes are subject to parliamentary approval. The Universal Credit ‘Limited Capability for Work Related Activity’ (LCWRA) element will change: • From April 2026, those already getting LCWRA will have their amount frozen at £97 per week until 2029/30. • New claimants of Universal Credit who get LCWRA will not get the full £97 per week and instead get £50. • People under the age of 22 will be unable to get the LCWRA element. The Universal Credit standard allowance will increase: • From April 2026, the Universal Credit standard allowance will increase from £91 per week to £98 per week. October 2026 The Warm Home Discount Scheme opens for applications in England, Scotland and Wales. November 2026 Across the UK, eligible pensioners will begin to receive their Winter Fuel Payment. In Scotland, the Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. In Scotland, the Child Winter Heating Payment will be paid to eligible households. December 2026 In Scotland, the Winter Heating Payment will be paid to eligible households. Future Context and Challenges 2.30 North Lanarkshire’s employment market has continued to perform strongly through the final quarter of 2024 and into the start of 2025 with low levels of unemployment and relatively stable levels of employment. North Lanarkshire’s claimant count unemployment rate has remained low and is at 3.2% in May 2025 with 6,970 claiming out of work benefits. This is well below the pre covid level of 3.8% in March 2020 with 8,225 claiming out of work benefits. In addition to this sustained low level of Page 54 of 60
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unemployment in North Lanarkshire there has been continued wage growth and real increases in income for many of those in work alongside continued investment in growth by local employers. In these respects, the North Lanarkshire labour market has had significant positive benefits again for many of those in employment. The North Lanarkshire workforce currently has 166,400 people aged 16 years and over and is steadily recovering towards the pre covid level of 174,000 in December 2019. 2.31 However, the key challenge in North Lanarkshire and the UK remains economic inactivity, with the leading reason for this being long term health challenges. In North Lanarkshire we have 53,900 economically inactive residents with 26,800 giving long term health as the reason. This is a rise from December 2019, where 47,700 residents were economically inactive with 14,900 giving long term health as the reason. In addition, the rise in economic inactivity has been twice as high in women as men in this period. 2.32 This mirrors the challenge in the UK workforce which has shrunk significantly, as the number of people aged 16 years and over, who are economically inactive has increased by 1.3 million. Nationally over the past five years, inactivity among those aged 65 and over has been on an upward trend, particularly since August 2022. In contrast, inactivity among 50-64-year-olds has shown a downward trend beginning around August 2024, suggesting a return to the workforce for some in this age group. Among 25-49-year-olds, inactivity has been gradually decreasing without any sharp fluctuations. However, a different pattern emerges for 16-24-year-olds, where inactivity rose sharply between March 2023 and February 2024, before levelling off. These trends highlight differing behaviours across age groups, with younger people facing persistent barriers to entry, older workers increasingly exiting the labour force, and mid- life groups slowly re-engaging with work. 2.33 In North Lanarkshire the current unemployment rate among 16–24-year-olds in 4.8% in May 2025 though this is significantly below the pre covid rate of 5.7% in March 2020. Sectoral patterns show persistent stress in service sectors such as retail, hospitality, and administrative services, with both vacancies and payroll employment declining. These are sectors that are heavily reliant on lower paid labour and tend to employ high numbers of young people. Policy changes such as increases to the National Living Wage and employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are likely exacerbating cost pressures in these industries, potentially contributing to job shedding or hiring freezes. Nationally, rising redundancies, coupled with declining vacancies and payrolls, points to increasing employer caution and a cooling labour market. 2.34 These economic challenges for business will likely be exacerbated by the sharp rise in economic uncertainty caused by recent US trade policy tariffs alongside existing ongoing conflicts in Russia and Ukraine and the Middle East with expectations that this will lead to weaker economic growth and higher inflationary pressures at a global level over the coming year. 2.35 As stated previously the polarisation around those in work and those out of the labour market reinforces the Council strategy of working in a voluntary and supportive manner with our residents who are unemployed or economically inactive and funding employability programmes which deliver support to address barriers around health, wellbeing, and money issues whilst maintaining individual support and strategic activity to reduce in work poverty. In 2025/26 all employability programmes funded by the Council have targets for engaging economically inactive residents as well as Page 55 of 60
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unemployed to reflect these new challenges and currently 1 in 5 people on our programmes have a health condition that has lasted for over 12 months. 2.36 And in the longer term, we await the impact of the UK Government's Get Britain Working strategy which should be one of the levers that supports our labour market in the long terms alongside the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind policy. 2.37 Following the Budget statement and the refocus on Welfare Benefits residents will be migrated to UC full service over the next two years and are expected to fully comply with the UC rules as someone not in employment. This means that they could be sanctioned and lose their UC payments if they fail to follow their Claimant Commitment. 2.38 Whilst it is problematic to be absolutely accurate based on DWP information and data with regards to Working Tax Credit from HMRC, it is likely that the minimum number of residents who be migrate from their current benefits to UC from 2020 up to 2026, will be 51,076, meaning that nearly 65,000 residents will be impacted by Universal Credit and/or other welfare reform changes over that period with the majority being Council tenants in receipt of Housing benefit/Council Tax Reduction Scheme and/or users of IJB Services. 2.39 The biggest emerging issues from April 2024, was the ending of the financial measures and supports for Covid-19, along with elements of financial supports for the cost-of- living crisis, energy costs and fuel prices still higher compared to 2022, 2023 and 2024. These have the potential to result in major issues for our community and council services with respect to increased issues with rent/council tax arrears, debt, food poverty, fuel poverty, homelessness and impact on capacity of Services. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Ensuring and improving the standardised service to all residents and providing a sustainable, responsive, and effective means of quality advice and support to our communities across North Lanarkshire. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 N/A Alison Gordon Chief Social Work Officer Page 56 of 60
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Tackling Poverty is fully aligned with the requirements of the Fairer Scotland Duty, its purpose being to reduce the inequalities caused by socio economic disadvantage. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Although this report has no direct financial impacts as noted within the report further review will be required over the coming period of TPT funding and priorities given the ending of the current temporary funding through the IJB. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 57 of 60
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If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group Subgroup developed a Communications Plan. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Tackling Poverty has been identified as a Corporate Risk, with the Chief Social Work Officer as the risk lead. Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire - Tackling Poverty Strategy sets out a planned approach which seeks to eliminate poverty or make very significant reductions in the level of poverty resulting in benefit to the residents and including improvement in the overall level of health and wellbeing of communities. In this context the planned ending of additional temporary funding which is supporting current team capacity present some risk. This will be reviewed and relevant mitigations considered over the remainder over 25/26. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Page 58 of 60
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Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Actions to tackle poverty including those described in this report support a number of fundamental rights within the conventions however as this report updates on actions already agreed no CRWIA has been undertake. A CRWIA will be undertaken when the Strategy and Action Plan are fully updated in 2026. If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 59 of 60
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