Plan to set local benefit levels

Author: The Guardian   |  

Controversial plans to decentralise the welfare state by giving councils the right to set their own regional levels of benefit are being considered by the Tories.

The ideas, floated under the John Major government in 1995 but rejected as too radical, are being examined as part of David Cameron’s push to devolve as much power as possible to the local level and away from Whitehall. They would mean councils being handed a lump sum from Whitehall to spend as they want on welfare and employment programmes, rather than the entire system being driven centrally, with uniform benefit levels being set nationally.

Last night Lord Hanningfield, a Tory spokesman on business in the Lords and leader of Essex County Council, said the changes would mean money being spent more efficiently and according to local needs. “From David Cameron down, I think everyone believes this sort of thing should be looked at,” he said.

His preference would be for local authorities to determine for themselves how much should be spent on benefits and employment programmes, and who would be eligible. Councils would be free to set benefit levels according to people’s ages and the local cost of living. “The cost of living is far higher in Essex, say, than it is in Cornwall, so people do not need the same level of benefit,” he said. “And someone who is 17 does not need the same amount as someone who is 30.”

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