The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Steve Webb)
Today we are publishing the Government’s response to the call for evidence on how the new locally based service to replace assistance currently given through community care grants and some crisis loans should be delivered.
We received responses from an array of organisations, many providing thoughtful and constructive contributions that will support the development of the new local services.
This initial body of evidence is an important building block in the reform process and will help to direct our thinking during the next stages of the planning process. The Government response captures the key issues and themes that have emerged and sets out our response. It also includes new information about the current scheme that has not previously been published that will help local authorities in developing their plans, including for the first time local authority level social fund data.
This is an important change in the way that welfare services are framed and delivered. It goes to the heart of localism and the big society agenda. It empowers local communities to develop and deliver local services tailored to meet the needs of their most vulnerable members and challenges local service providers to design innovative and creative schemes.
The successful delivery of new services will be through strong partnerships between central and local government, community groups, charities and individuals.
The publication of this report is a key development in this process.