| answer text |
<p>The Department for Work and Pensions are currently undertaking a review into how
local welfare provision has been used in 2013/14 and its anticipated use in 2014/15
which will be published in due course. In addition, as part of its work on Universal
Credit, the Department is commissioning budgeting support for claimants who need help
and is establishing local delivery partnerships with local government to help provide
this.</p><p><br>The Government-funded Money Advice Survey offers advice on managing
personal debt, money management and budgeting. Face to face debt advice is provided
by Citizens Advice, under contract with the Money Advice Service.</p><p><br>Department
for Business Innovation and Skills also provide funding for the Citizens Advice Bureau,
which provides people with advice on debt and other issues.</p><p><br>More generally,
the Department for Communities and Local Government issued guidance to councils last
year on good practice in the collection of council tax arrears. The actions of local
authorities (in relation to service failures, maladministration or injustice) can
be investigated by the Local Government Ombudsman, whilst the Housing Ombudsman Service
looks at complaints about social landlords.</p><p> </p>
|
|
