6.2 The profile of CAB clients has not changed with most coming from the same six wards in Bedford town. These coincide with the areas of greatest deprivation. The typical client is likely to be: a white British man or woman of working age (most likely 25 40yrs) with no – disability or long-term health issue, single, with or without children and living in rented accommodation within the town of Bedford. He/She is unlikely to be in full-time employment and will have a monthly income of £600-£700 6.3 Benefits and Debt continue to be the main issues CAB is presented with. However the type of has changed within these: Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Council Tax Reductions for those in work have seen the biggest increase. Employment Support Allowance and Housing Benefit continue to be a major area of concern for people. In Debt there has been a rise in rent arrears to Housing Associations and Council Tax. It is likely that the increasing focus on Benefits in the workload is due to the changes in the Benefit system, notably the introduction of PIP, the Benefits Cap and the Tax”. It is possible that these developments are also causing the changes in “Bedroom the pattern of Debt 6.4 The wider introduction of Universal Credit during the course of 2017 or may not cause an increase in cases but there are suggestions that it will shift the balance of work with an increasing need to help people manage their claims, possibly as an on-going requirement. 6.5 There are indications that homelessness is on the increase with a significant number of people being accommodated in one way or another by family and friends rather than going into hostels, B&Bs or sleeping rough. 6.6 The overall picture is that there is a body of Bedford’s citizens struggling to cope on a low income. Not all of these are entirely dependent upon benefits, some will be in part-time and/or low-paid employment. Although this group does not appear to be getting larger, the increase in Benefits Issues and the shift in patterns of Debt, suggests that they are finding it harder to cope.
6.2 The profile of CAB clients has not changed with most coming from the same six wards in Bedford town. These coincide with the areas of greatest deprivation. The typical client is likely to be: a white British man or woman of working age (most likely 25 – 40yrs) with no disability or long-term health issue, single, with or without children and living in rented accommodation within the town of Bedford. He/She is unlikely to be in full-time employment and will have a monthly income of £600-£700 6.3 Benefits and Debt continue to be the main issues CAB is presented with. However the type of has changed within these: Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Council Tax Reductions for those in work have seen the biggest increase. Employment Support Allowance and Housing Benefit continue to be a major area of concern for people. In Debt there has been a rise in rent arrears to Housing Associations and Council Tax. It is likely that the increasing focus on Benefits in the workload is due to the changes in the Benefit system, notably the introduction of PIP, the Benefits Cap and the “Bedroom Tax”. It is possible that these developments are also causing the changes in the pattern of Debt 6.4 The wider introduction of Universal Credit during the course of 2017 or may not cause an increase in cases but there are suggestions that it will shift the balance of work with an increasing need to help people manage their claims, possibly as an on-going requirement. 6.5 There are indications that homelessness is on the increase with a significant number of people being accommodated in one way or another by family and friends rather than going into hostels, B&Bs or sleeping rough. 6.6 The overall picture is that there is a body of Bedford’s citizens struggling to cope on a low income. Not all of these are entirely dependent upon benefits, some will be in part-time and/or low-paid employment. Although this group does not appear to be getting larger, the increase in Benefits Issues and the shift in patterns of Debt, suggests that they are finding it harder to cope.
research-campaigns_6_444899852.docx