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<p> </p><p><em>[Holding Reply: Thursday 16 January 2014]</em></p><p>The nationally
run Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans were poorly targeted and failed to help
those most in need. So, in 2012 as part of wider welfare reform, the Department for
Work and Pensions abolished these national discretionary schemes and transferred responsibility
to local authorities so they could deliver and tailor new local support as part of
their existing services to their communities.</p><p>Councils can continue to provide
support to those in their community who face financial difficulties or who find themselves
in unavoidable circumstances, but there is no requirement to replicate the previous
approach adopted by central government.</p><p>In contrast to a centralised grant system
that was poorly targeted, under the Department for Work and Pensions' reforms, councils
can now choose how best to support local welfare needs within their areas – what is
right for, say, Rochdale may not be for other authorities. Some councils have already
chosen to wind down their dedicated schemes following underspends.</p><p>In the next
Spending Round period, from April 2015, central government continues to provide support
to local authorities through general funds as part of the Coalition Government's commitment
to reducing ring-fencing and ending top-down Whitehall control.</p><p>The Department
for Work and Pensions provided a separate fund for 2013-2015 and are carrying out
a review of the provision to date.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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