Universal Credit Cut. A Letter to MP's
Sutton Voluntary Sector have sent a jointly signed letter to their MP's to detail exactly what the cut to Universal Credit will mean locally. They have suggested sharing it for anyone to adapt to their locality. Thank you to Steve from Sutton CAB for this:
Dear MP's Name
Universal Credit
As you will recall, we have previously exchanged correspondence and had a useful meeting about the ending of the Universal Credit Coronavirus uplift. Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of media coverage and commentary about the issue. There is a lot of concern among staff and volunteers in Sutton voluntary sector organisations about how the ending of the uplift will impact on Sutton residents. I am writing on behalf of the Sutton voluntary sector organisations listed at the bottom of this letter. We all have concerns about the £20.00 per week reduction in Universal Credit; concerns that recently have been exacerbated by the impending increases in fuel costs and food price inflation.
We would be grateful if you would consider asking the government to reconsider its decision to end the uplift. We hope that the information below, about the impact of the reduction in Sutton and the Universal Credit regulations will be helpful to you.
There were, according to official DWP figures, 15,493 Sutton households ‘on’ Universal Credit as of May 2021..
The government increased the Universal Credit ‘standard allowances’ in 2020 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. A monthly ‘standard allowance’ is included in the calculation of every UC claim. There are different standard allowances for people for single people, couples and people under and over the age 25. The standard allowances are, as you can see from this table, quite low.
| Standard Allowance | Current Rate | Rate from 6th October 2021 |
| Single under 25 | £344 | £257.33 |
| Single 25 and over | £411.51 | £324.84 |
| Couple under 25 | £490.60 | £403.93 |
| Couple aged 25 or over | £596.58 | £509.91 |
We can illustrate the impact of the Universal Credit reduction with an example calculation. The client is an illustration, but the calculation is based on actual Universal Credit amounts.
The claimant is a lone parent with one daughter aged 14. Her current ‘maximum amount’ of UC for is £694.01 per month (plus housing costs). This maximum amount is comprised of the £411.51 standard allowance and the Child Amount of £282.50.
The claimant works part time. She earns £520 per month (net). The calculation of her UC includes a ‘work allowance.’ She can earn £293 per month without her UC being reduced. She has earnings of £227 over her work allowance. Every £1.00 of earnings over the work allowance reduces Universal Credit by £0.63 – i.e., earnings ‘taper’ UC entitlement at 63%.
The calculation of her UC entitlement compares her maximum UC - £694.01 (plus housing costs) with her income. She is treated as having income of £143.01 (63% of net earnings minus the work allowance). She is therefore entitled to UC of £551 per month, plus housing costs. Child Benefit is paid in addition to Universal Credit.
From 6th October, the claimants maximum Universal Credit is £607.34. This is comprised of £324.84 standard allowance and Child Amount of £282.50. She will then be entitled to UC of £464.33 (plus housing costs). This is a reduction of £86.67 per month.
As you can see from this example, Universal Credit is reduced by £0.63 for every £1.00 of earnings over the work allowance. Only people responsible for a child or people with a limited capability for work have a work allowance. Other people such as those without dependent children and carers (who do not otherwise qualify) do not have a work allowance.
Most claimants cannot therefore make up the £86.67 per month shortfall by working additional hours. If the claimant in the above example increased her working hours and therefore her net pay by £86.00 per month, she would lose £54.18 from her Universal Credit, meaning that she would, despite earning £86 more per month, only gain £31.82 per month - so the claimant can clearly not make up the £86 per month reduction in benefit by earning an additional £86 per month.
Many people in receipt of Universal Credit do not have any realistic way of making up for the £86 per month reduction at all. Some 60% of people in receipt of Universal Credit are not in employment. People may for example have a limited capability for work, be caring for a severely disabled child or adult or be a lone parent with a young child. Some people in receipt of Universal Credit are working full time (and need the benefit to help with rent), so cannot further increase hours and therefore cannot, in any way, make up the reduction. We would like to stress, that even if people can increase their earnings, those earnings will reduce Universal Credit by £0.63 for every £1.00 of earnings.
You can see, from the above table, that the Universal Credit standard allowances are quite modest. The standard allowances are the basic entitlements for single people or couples. Although these allowances are not designed to cover rent or council tax and claimants may also receive amounts for children, caring responsibilities and having a ‘limited capability for work- and work-related activity,’ the amounts are very low when compared to the ‘Standard Financial Statement’ ‘Trigger figures.’
Debt advisers, such as the Citizens Advice Sutton debt team use a Standard Financial Statement. The Standard Financial Statement includes ‘trigger figures’ The trigger figures are pre-agreed levels for certain areas of discretionary household expenditure. The trigger figures help identify levels of monthly expenditure deemed reasonable when completing the statement. Debt advisers do not need to explain the financial statement to creditors unless the trigger figures are exceeded.
The Universal Credit amounts are inadequate to allow claimants even the trigger figure amounts of discretionary expenditure. The Standard Financial Statement ‘allows’ a single adult to spend a total of £666 per month on ‘discretionary’ items – communications / leisure and groceries etc. However, the Universal Credit Standard Allowance for a single adult (over 25) is currently only £411.51 per month and is due to decrease to only £324.84 per month.
The Standard Financial Statement ‘allows’ a single adult with a dependent child to spend a total of £885 per month on ‘discretionary’ items. However, a single parent with one child could receive Universal Credit of no more than £648.59 per month (due to decrease to only £562.92 per month) plus Child Benefit of £21.15 per week. Even including Child Benefit, the family’s income would total only £740.24 per month, decreasing to only £654.57 per month in October.
Furthermore, many people in receipt of Universal Credit have a shortfall between their rent and the amount of housing costs included in their UC calculation – the Local Housing Allowance only covers the 30th percentile of local rents.
A very high proportion of Citizens Advice Sutton debt advice clients are in receipt of Universal Credit and have a ‘deficit budget’ – in other words, their incomes are inadequate to cover even essential expenditure such as rent, utilities and food.
We understand that the government introduced the £20 per week uplift as a temporary measure, in response to the pandemic. However, many people need to claim Universal Credit for the long term. As we have said above approximately 40% of Universal Credit claimants are in employment and need Universal Credit to help pay rent. Many of these people have not seen any improvement in their situation since the introduction of the uplift – in fact their financial positions may have deteriorated due to rising food costs and will deteriorate further with increases in fuel costs. The Citizens Advice Sutton debt team has seen an increase in demand in recent months.
We hope that this information is helpful to you. We would be grateful if you would ask the government to reconsider their decision to end the Universal Credit uplift – a decision that will have significant adverse financial consequences for over 15,000 London Borough of Sutton households.
Yours sincerely
LONDON CHALLENGE POVERTY WEEK: WHAT'S ON
Between the 11th and 17th October 4in10 hosts London Challenge Poverty Week.
There are events and activities planned all over London and online. Check out the LCPW website for full details and get involved!
Examples include:
The London Poverty Summit talking place in person on Thursday 14th October .30 - 5.30.
Barking and Dagenham Youth Dance - Interpreting what poverty means to families and young people. Online throughout the week.
JustFair and Social Rights Alliance Webinar – Using Human Rights As A Tool To Tackle Poverty. Monday 11th October 13:00 – 15:00
Newham Social Welfare Alliance and Anti-Poverty Alliance and the Commission for Social Security both have online events planned for Wednesday 13th October.
During London Challenge Poverty Week, Lewisham Local are running five online food-growing related workshops for families to tackle holiday hunger and encouraging visits to some of the wonderful community gardens in the borough.
And on Monday 11th and Sunday the 17th Join ATD 4th World in both in person and online poetry events.
For a full list of what is on and to keep updated visit https://londonchallengepovertyweek.org.uk/whats-on/
#KEEP THE LIFELINE - Day of Action 17th August
Let's make as much noise as we can to show opposition to the cut to Universal Credit and what it will mean.
One Conservative MP has said he has heard no concerns about this from his constituents. Let's change that. They should not be able to say they don't know of any impact from this decision.
Save the Children Fund have come up with some really useful resources:
- Web page with info for UC & WTC claimants & writing to their MP
- Web page with info for legacy benefit claimants & writing to their MP
- Web page for supporters with write to MP instructions
- A ‘Campaign guide’ - a guide for smaller organisations or leaders who are keen to get involved. It has details of the campaign, links to assets, write to MP guidance and suggested tweets.
The aim on the day is to:
- Raise awareness of the cut & how it will impact families
- Create a twitter buzz that ideally trends
- Create a space for claimants and people working with them to share how the cut will affect individuals
- Encourage MPs to show their public support
- Generate media coverage
To generate as much social media and media action as possible it would be great if we could all tweet our support and share with others about the day and call to action.
With that in mind it would be great to let as many people in your networks know about the day of action and encourage and raise as much awareness of the planned cuts.
The more people make a fuss then the more pressure on the Government to U-turn.
Suggested tweets below but please do feel free to use your own their own with the hashtags #keepthelifeline
Tweet One
The £20 increase has been a lifeline for those both in and out of work. If this is cut, even more children will be pushed into poverty and hardship. #KeepTheLifeline
Tweet two
Millions have relied on the £20 UC top up to buy food and essentials. If this is cut, even more children will be pushed into poverty and hardship. UK government to listen to the growing number of voices expressing support, and abandon plans to cut UC. #KeepTheLifeline
Tweet three
Millions of key worker families who have kept the country going throughout the crisis will be hit very hard by the forthcoming cut to Universal Credit. This isn’t right! join the growing number of voices urging the Government to #KeepTheLifeline
What can you do?
- Tweet on the day about the KTL campaign using the hashtag #keepthelifeline
- Ask your networks (members, allies, supporters) to tweet on the day using the hashtag #keepTheLifeline
- Ask Conservative MPs and high-profile supporters to tweet out their support using the hashtag #keepthelifeline
Thanks to Joseph Rowntree Foundation for coordinating the campaign and to all the organisations involved. Let's get this stopped!
Have coffee with 4in10!
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new ‘4in10 Open Coffee Mornings’!
4in10 Open Coffee Mornings provide a free space for us all to listen, learn, connect, network, and voice concerns on a variety of topics related to child poverty in London.
4in10 Open Coffee Mornings are open to everyone. This includes 4in10 members, voluntary community sector organisations in London, those with lived experience, public sector workers and anyone who shares concern on issues relating to growing child poverty in our capital.
Launching with ‘Health Inequalities in London’ (5th August 2021 | 10:00 – 11:00), Open Coffee Morning sessions are thematic, meaning there is one overarching area in which frames the discussion. However, the sessions are truly flexible; attendees can contribute, participate, and engage in ways and on areas that matter to them.
4in10 is nothing without its membership. Some of our proudest moments at 4in10 have stemmed from shared ideas, cross-organisational collaboration and issue discussion amongst our members and voluntary community organisations. Our Coffee Mornings will provide a regular informal space for this to occur organically and more frequently.
The first Coffee Morning (Health Inequalities in London) is on 5th August, 10:00 – 12:00: sign up here
Sign up to the event to receive email notifications for the session, the ZOOM link, and information on future coffee mornings.
4in10 Coffee Mornings are held roughly every six weeks. Sign up to future sessions:
- 4in10 Open Coffee Morning: Benefits and Income – Wednesday 15th September (11am – 12am): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/162051573619
- 4in10 Open Coffee Morning: Housing and Homelessness – Tuesday 30th November (10am – 11am): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/162053060065
The following session will be at the end of January and the theme will be Family and Child Poverty in Outer London.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Blog Post from Alketa Hystuma of The Shpresa Programme
The Shpresa Programme works with Albanian nationals in the UK who have mainly migrated from Italy, Greece and Bulgaria. Their dual nationalities make them EU citizens.
The 23rd of June 2016 marked a seismic change for a country, which for 47 years was a member state of the European Union and its predecessor, the European Communities (EC). Assisting with the completion of online applications has been challenging since the Brexit process as many service users have difficulties with the language or have no English skills. Others have difficulties using computers and online services, like not understand the confirmation emails or calls they receive to provide further evidences as part of their EUSS applications. Many of the people we work with have completed wrong applications, equally many are not aware of their rights on public funds including housing and homelessness assistance. A general problem is that many do not yet fully understand what Brexit means and why having a Settled or Pre-Settled status is important in protect their future immigration status, as well as their rights and entitlements to family reunions, work, benefits, and access to the NHS.
Since COVID-19 we witnessed a rise of applications for universal credit. We’ve noticed indirect discrimination when an EU citizen has only arrived to the UK a few months ago and is working a limited number of hours per week. Most of the claims made resulted in refusals, not once, but 2-3 times. We have previously requested reviews and have appealed decisions to highlight that the EU citizens have the same rights as a British passport holder or someone with refugee status.
Our other immense concern is for groups or people who are isolated and have no contact with us or any other organisations who promote and do campaign work around the EU Settlement Scheme. If vulnerable members of our community fail to apply before June 30 2021 their immigration status will inevitably be compromised, no matter how long they have resided in the UK.
Our partnership with New Europeans UK started in September last year. Since then, we have jointly delivered more than 5 events and information sessions tailored for the Albanian community. New Europeans UK have advised and trained our staff, as well as a cohort of our Albanian speaking volunteers. We have found a valuable partner that is keen to hear the challenges our service users face and offer free professional advice.
It has been a highlight of Shpresa’s activity, to work intensively with the many EU citizens part of the Albanian community in the UK and raise awareness of their rights in the UK during and after Brexit. With the continuous support from New Europeans UK, the Shpresa Programme has campaigned extensively through social media, our digital work and information sessions, as well through our advocacy “Be the change” project. This will ensure effective support continues to reach our community, so that no EU citizen gets left behind. We will continue to assist anyone who needs help to integrate and become self-sufficient once they chose to make the UK their home.
Shpresa Programme
020 7511 1586
Refugee Week. Some Great Links
WE CANNOT WALK ALONE: REFUGEE WEEK EVENTS
‘no one leaves home unless
home is the mouth of a shark’
Warsan Shire, Home
In recognition of Refugee Week the following online events and exhibitions may be of interest:
- The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants are hosting a fantastic online exhibition, Beyond Labels
- Croydon Voluntary Action and 40 local organisations are hosting a week of activities celebrating work by and with refugees.
- Barnet New Citizens Gateway is celebrating Refugee Week with an online event where members of their community will share their stories. Join their celebration of humanity and culture for stories of refugees experiences and hopes for the future. The event will feature a packed schedule of inspirational talks, art, and singing from renowned Palestinian artist, Nancy Hawa. Mon, June 21, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- Refugee Education UK are sharing stories of their work with young refugees.
- HOME? curated by actor and refugee-child Noma Dumezweni, brings together global voices, stories and experiences across three new commissions, created in collaboration with refugee artists and the Old Vic Theatre.
- Counterpoints Arts and Schools of Sanctuary present authors Michael Rosen and Sita Brahmachari in conversation with Sanchita Basu De Sarkar sharing poems and stories suitable for children aged 9 and over and their families. June 17th 4.30-5.15pm.
- The National Archives share a series of events linking the history of refugees in the UK via documents held by them.
- UNHCR are asking people to submit their own dictionary definition of the term ‘refugee’.
There are many other events where you can show your support for London’s vibrant refugee communities. Just Google your borough and Refugee Week 2021
No Child Left Behind – new website! Blog by Mari Burton from the NEU.
New data released by the End Child Poverty collation has revealed that even before the pandemic child poverty levels had risen to 4.3 million children – an increase of 200,000 on the previous year, This means that across the UK, 31 per cent of children are now growing up trapped in poverty – the equivalent of 9 pupils in every class of 30.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The Government must take urgent action to right this wrong.
The National Education Union have launched a brand new campaign website which allows visitors to search for the latest child poverty statistics for their area, simply by typing in their postcode. Visitors to the site are asked to email their local MP, asking them to show their commitment to tackling poverty in their area by signing the NEU’s anti child poverty pledge. The pledge reads:
As a member of Parliament, I pledge to do everything in my power so that no child is left behind in East Worthing and Shoreham:
- I call for the development of a cross-Government strategy to eradicate the poverty faced by the 4.3 million children currently growing up trapped in poverty.
- I will use my vote and voice in Parliament to try to stop an expected 730,000 more children being plunged into poverty by 2024.
We must value and invest in all our children, so they are supported to learn, succeed, and go on to have bright futures.
Poverty is not inevitable – with enough political will we can eradicate it. At the time of writing 91 MPs from across the parties had committed to do everything in their power to leave no child behind – check if yours has signed up by visiting nochildleftbehind.org.uk and supporting our campaign!
Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Coalition. Letter to Gavin Williamson
4in10 are signatories to a letter to Gavin Williamson regarding the mental health of children returning to school and the government's emphasis on 'behaviour'.
Sector Leaders defend charities right to campaign.
4in10 fully support the joint statement from social sector leaders on the right to campaign, issued following a speech in the House of Commons by Sir John Hayes MP in which he stated that he and 20 other MP’s had written to the Charity Commission to complain about the Runnymede Trust’s response to the report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, (The Sewell report). Sir John asked for assurance from minister Kemi Badenoch that she make representations across government to “stop the worthless work—often publicly funded—of organisations that are promulgating weird, woke ideas…” As the statement says, the changes that charities are asking for are not “worthless” or “weird” but focused on solving some of this country’s most enduring challenges.
Poverty Reports and Data, Funding Opportunities and News
Dear All
This issue has information about the Mayoral elections, the Select Committee Enquiry into child poverty and a Spotlight Interview at the end with Little Village. A very happy 5th birthday to them. They have done so much to help families over their 5 years while exposing the root causes of poverty, we are proud to have them as members. Read on for new reports and useful data as well as funding opportunities and an interesting job vacancy.
But first, 4in10 have a new Strategic Project Manager starting on March 8th. Her name is Katherine Hill and she comes with a wealth of campaigning and policy experience. She joins us after serving for several years as a clerk to the Joint Committee on Human Rights in parliament, and before that she has had a number of human rights policy and campaigning roles at Age UK, Scope and The Children’s Society. We are excited to welcome her to the team.
Other 4in10 staff news is that Keisha is expecting a baby soon and has decided not to return after her maternity leave. We all wish her and the new baby the very best of luck and much love.
Work and Pensions Select Committee Inquiry into child poverty – deadline for submissions 25th Feb. It is important that organisations make submissions if you can. If you would like some guidance as to what could go in a submission, CPAG have put together a briefing based on the main questions posed by the Committee.
The London Elections are planned for 6th May this year for the London Assembly and London Mayor. People must be on the electoral register to vote. It is simple to register online and applications for postal votes are available but people must be on the electoral register before applying for a postal vote. This is a good opportunity to ask candidates questions about poverty and inequality in London. If your organisation is contacting candidates please let us know the questions you are asking them and if you get a response that we can share. (Questions suggested in the link below for the End Child Poverty campaign might spark ideas.)
Candidates are:
Sadiq Khan Labour Contact
Shaun Bailey Conservative Contact
Sian Berry Green Party Contact
Luisa Porritt Liberal Democrats Contact
Also standing are the Women’s Equality Party, UKIP and a number of Independents.
From members and friends:
- ACEVO, NCVO and the Lloyds Bank Foundation have published their final report on Rebalancing the Relationship between small and large charities and how the culture of commissioning impacts on this.
- Be Gamble Aware and Expert Link have joined forces to develop a user led network of those affected by gambling.
- Big Issue reports that government is proposing a new strategy to help people on low incomes heat their homes, but warn that people will still struggle to stay warm without a stronger benefit system and help getting out of problem debt. The proposals will extend the £140 Warm Home Discount to an extra 750,000 households, including working-age households earning less than £16,190. This would mean a total 2.7 million people paying £140 less on their fuel bills every winter.
- Beyond the Box are looking for young people aged between 14 and 25 and living in East London to attend a series of workshops on cultural programming, leading to possible work on the Peoples Pavilion events and programming. Applications closing shortly.
- The Bike Project is looking for a new Trustee with lived experience of the asylum system.
- Bromley By Bow Centre the Working Well Trust and the Work Rights Centre have joined forces to run a free webinar on employment and employability in Tower Hamlets. 4th March from 1-2pm.
- Centre for London is working with the Mayors Office and others to produce a ‘shared vision for London 2050’. They have created a survey with a wide variety of options as to what matters to you and for London. Please do share the survey with your networks and those who use your services.
- Children England, Lloyds Bank Foundation and others are hosting a webinar on the government’s procurement green paper as it impacts on the voluntary sector. 25th February 2.30 – 4.
- Debt Free London have extended their 24 hour a day service throughout February. For debt advice and support call 0800 808 5700. Video advice session online debtfree.london/video WhatsApp message on 0800 808 5700 or live web chat online at debtfree.london.
- Digital Candle is a free service matching voluntary organisations up with a volunteer expert for an hour of free digital advice. Submit your question and within 48 hours you will receive an email matching you with an appropriate expert. No question is too broad or too niche; whatever you need to know, they will find someone who can help.
- Doctors Of The World have published information on entitlement to the Covid vaccine.
- End Child Poverty Campaign have a template email you can send to your local MP and ideas of questions to ask and how to phrase them. This can be linked to both the upcoming budget and the #NeverMoreNeeded campaign
- Expert Link are recruiting a panel of people with lived experience of disadvantage and the benefit system to develop a strategy for long and short-term policy change, and lead monthly online forum with local and national influencers such as DWP Partnership Managers, national charities and Government officials. They are running a 2 part training session for anyone interested on Thursday 25th February (2-4pm) and Thursday 4th March (2-4pm).
- Feeding Britain and Emma Lewell-Buck MP have published a briefing paper on Stemming the Rise of Child Poverty with some clear recommendations for immediate action.
- Gingerbread and StepChange have published a report on lone parent debt.
- Homeless Link are running a survey until the 21st February for organisations providing homelessness services if they have used Homeless Link in any way.
- Huffington Post have published a piece on the rise in Tuberculosis, a direct result of people living in poverty.
- Juniper Education Dataset Report unsurprisingly shows it has been the youngest children whose learning has had the most significant drop during Covid, particularly those in last year’s Year 1, current Year 2s. Certain groups have been disproportionately affected by the disruption to their learning with disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs showing greater gaps than their peers.
- Lime Bikes are offering all London key workers – from NHS and emergency service staff to carers, teachers and supermarket staff unlimited free Lime e-bike rides to help commuting in a safe and socially distanced way during lockdown.
- Little Village have published their report on the rates, persistence and depth of poverty in families with young children. (See their Spotlight interview below)
- Magic Breakfast are continuing their campaign to get the school breakfast bill through parliament. This is running until the end of February and there are many ways you can show your support.
- Maternity Action and the Women’s Budget Group are hosting a webinar on reforming shared parental leave. 19th February 1-2.15
- Migrant Rights are running a series of workshops for migrants on NRPF and everyday rights each day from Feb 22nd to 24th from 1-3.
- Money and Mental Health report the findings from the Mental Health and Income Commission that there is a significant gap in average income for those with mental health conditions and that this has worsened during Covid.
- NCVO, Nottingham Trent and Hallam Universities have published their latest report on the impact of Covid on the voluntary sector. They welcome new participants in this ongoing study. It involves completing a survey and the information is important to evidence the fact that our sector is Never More Needed.
- Refugee Council, Coram Children’s Legal Centre and six other organisations have written to the Children’s Minister calling for every unaccompanied child to receive the specialist care they need.
- Revolving Door have compiled a collection of eight essays titled The Knot, that explore how poverty, trauma and structural disadvantage create and perpetuate multiple disadvantage. To launch its publication there is an event on the 25th February from 11-12.30 featuring contributors and those with lived experience.
- Runnymede Trust have published a paper on ethnic inequalities in Covid 19 mortality.
- Small Charities Coalition have launched a new mentoring service for organisations looking for peer to peer support. They also run events all year to support smaller organisations including governance issues, finance support and events in community languages on setting up a charity. The next ones are for health and wellbeing charities on the 22nd February from 10 – 11 and Poverty, Housing and Homelessness Small Charities Meet-Up with the ASA on the 23rd February from 10-11.
- Sound Connections host the Music and Social Justice Network and welcome new members. Anyone working with children and young people in London through music is invited to join.
Local Authority and Health Statutory Updates:
- The Care Quality Commission (CQC) – have set up a web page where disabled people and their families can provide feedback directly, and anonymously to the CQC to help them plan future services that take the needs of disabled people seriously. Evidence shows that disabled people and their families have suffered more than most during the current pandemic.
- Census 21 will take place online on March 21st. The ONS are offering help to those who cannot access the census digitally and will send out a paper copy. They are advertising a range of temporary jobs linked to the census. The online version and information about the census is available in a range of community languages. It is worth noting that it is compulsory for households to complete the census and fines may be issued to anyone not completing it.
- Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are hosting a webinar on VCSE’s Winning Central Government Contracts and the New Social Value Model. 17th March, 2-4pm.
- Her Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons has published a report on What Happens to Prisoners during A Pandemic including a stark warning about what is happening to children in prison.
- London Councils have published a report on how the pandemic may widen entrenched disadvantage by reducing access to early years provision as well as take up and what needs to be done for early years education post Covid.
- NHS Doctors and Nurses and other Frontline Staff have recorded reassuring vaccine information in community languages. Videos are available in 14 languages with more to follow.
Funding Opportunities:
- Ashworth Charitable Trust fund smaller organisations in a range of humanitarian fields. Closing date for this round is the 28th February
- Austin Hope Pilkington Trust offer grants for organisations working with homelessness and those working with refugees and asylum seekers. This funding round closes on the 28th February.
- Barnet Community Innovation Fund closes on the 1st March. Small grant: up to £2,000, Start-up grant: up to £10,000, Big idea grant: up to £65,000. This round will fund projects that can support unpaid carers and residents who have lost or are at risk of losing their jobs.
- GLA Details were in last newsletter but a reminder that there are 3 funding streams due to close shortly.
- Homeless Link will be managing a new fund provided by the GLA for organisations supporting rough sleepers to provide immigration advice.
- Lambeth Wellbeing Fund closes for applications on the 3rd March. Priority will be given to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicity (BAME) groups across the borough.
- MSE Charity fund organisations providing financial education and resilience in money management. Application deadline 26 February.
- Lady Neville Charitable Trust funds small organisations with a turnover of less than £100,000.00 with a particular interest in Camden, Enfield, Hackney, and Hounslow. Deadline 12th March
- Rosa and Smallwood Trust have partnered to launch a new fund for specialist women’s and girls’ organisations in the UK. Grants of up to £40,000 are available for organisations supporting women and girls to build financial resilience and/or improve mental health and wellbeing. Deadline for applications is March 25th. Organisations can also apply for an additional 25% of their grant request for work which will strengthen their organisation. ‘How to Apply’ webinars on, February 25th, March 8th and March 18th to learn more.
Job vacancy at Save the Children:
Senior Policy Adviser and Advocacy Adviser (UK Child Poverty), will lead Save the Children’s UK child poverty policy work targeting the UK government.
Keep an eye out for announcements about 4in10’s new website. The plan is for test runs to start on the 22nd February with the site going fully live on the 1st March. The site is planned to be very interactive and to include the work started during London Challenge Poverty Week, creating a searchable and useful list of the many wonderful voluntary organisations working directly with child poverty in London. We still welcome your photos or videos to share on the site, which we intend will visually reflect our members work. All material will be credited.
Finally, thank you to Little Village for their Spotlight interview below and if you would like to be our Spotlight organisation in March or April or if you have information to share with our network, please do get in touch.
Very best wishes and stay safe.
Liza