Councils and their partners have undertaken a wide range of work to provide immediate help to households struggling to afford essential cost of living expenses, including food, heating and housing costs. Much of this support might be termed local welfare support or crisis support. It remains an important component of the wider welfare system and many examples of effective, targeted support to alleviate hardship are captured in local case studies and examples that we have brought together here.
However, the LGA, councils and partners also recognise the vital importance of addressing the underlying causes of poverty and disadvantage, which underpin, exacerbate and interact with immediate need. These socioeconomic determinants of heath and wellbeing include access to decent, affordable housing; employment opportunities; social care; public health and environmental services.
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation show that poverty and disadvantage is experienced in different ways by households and communities throughout the country. As leaders of place, and as commissioners, partners and service providers, councils have a central role in tackling the specific causes and impacts of inequality in their locality, and in creating the conditions for people to live well and reach their potential. An effective, sustainable mix of services and support needs to come together in integrated, person-centred and neighbourhood-based approaches.
This resource brings together case studies, examples and proposals on both specific support and on broader strategic approaches to alleviating poverty, reducing disadvantage, narrowing inequality and improving outcomes.
Highlighted pages
The LGA view on preventing and reducing child poverty
The Government has committed to reducing child poverty, both now and into the future, in its forthcoming strategy, which is likely to be published in Autumn 2025. The LGA has been working with councils, stakeholders and government to contribute to the development of the strategy.
Tackling poverty and disadvantage: Spotlight case studies
Financial hardship and economic vulnerability in England
This report provides an overview of financial hardship and economic vulnerability in your authority area. It is intended that this insight can be used to help understand the issues in your area, inform the design of support services, encourage greater partnership working, help make the case for resources and funding as well as aid the development of an effective response. It has been designed for viewing at local authority geographies.