Time to target poverty in Lambeth

Councillor Jim Dickson leading Labour's campaign to increase take up of benefits

Lambeth’s Labour Councillors are proposing to invest in a welfare rights take-up campaign, focusing on low income groups. The campaign will encourage people to claim benefits they are entitled to including , Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Pension Credits. The council will also ensure that people are aware of other entitlements such as Winter Fuel Payments.

The campaign will work with targeted individuals and groups identified as “underclaiming”
or being non-claimants. Labour Councillors are aiming for an additional benefit uptake of £1,605,877 in one year and that could rise to £2,231,628 if a bid to the government for extra funding to expand the campaign is successful

The proposals will deliver on Lambeth Labour’s manifesto commitment to deliver “A benefit take-up campaign to make sure pensioners, disabled people and low-paid families get the money they’re entitled to.” Lambeth’s previous Lib Dem and Tory regime removed anti-poverty targets from the council’s local performance plan to push it down the list of local priorities. Labour is determined to reverse that trend by putting fighting poverty back at the heart of the council’s activity.

This is one proposal among many forming part Lambeth Council’s 2007 budget. All proposals are still subject to consultation.

Councillor Jim Dickson, Labour’s Cabinet Member for Finance said:

“Labour Councillors want people in Lambeth to receive all the help they are entitled to.
The Government offers many young families a much needed boost to their income through tax credits. Yet too many people are not aware of their entitlement. By proposing a relatively small investment in this campaign the council can make a big difference to the lives of many Lambeth residents ”

“During the local election campaign we promised to make Lambeth a better place to live, particularly for the most vulnerable people in the borough. This campaign is further proof that we will stick to our promise.”

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