Neath Port Talbot Council has commissioned a project which seeks to better understand the impact of major welfare reforms on residents living in low income households.
It comes as officers say the roll-out of Universal Credit is having a significant impact on people living in the county who may already be dealing with long-term health problems, disability or unemployment.
The local authority has commissioned Policy in Practice to develop a low income families tracker for the county saying the information will help predict how the picture of need may change as Universal Credit is fully rolled-out.
Deputy leader Anthony Taylor said: “It will help us see where the gaps are, and to see where we can provide better advice and support.”
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The company will collect council tax and housing benefit data four times over the coming year, and then assess the cumulative impact of all policies combined.
In a report which went before councillors at a cabinet meeting earlier this month Karen Jones, the assistant chief executive and chief digital officer, said: “Linking this data over time we will be able to track living standards to identify who is able to escape poverty and who is not and what the impacts of this will be on public finances.”
She added: “Policy in Practice uses household level data to understand and track the impact of the welfare reforms on residents.
“Using data analytics they can track the winners and losers for each welfare change, including Universal Credit, as well as looking at the cumulative
impacts on residents.
“The reports and data analysis they are able to provide will allow the council to view these impacts at ward and street level.”
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The first stage of the project will look at the profile of those currently accessing support and advice services, whether the profile is likely to change as more welfare reforms take place, how existing services are currently being funded and whether the council’s current policies and services would meet increasing demand for support services.
Ms Jones said: “By understanding the cumulative impact of welfare reforms on residents alongside existing service provision we will be able to target support to our residents that need it most.”
The council will pay Policy in Practice £23,000 plus VAT to develop the tracker.
Councillors approved the project at a cabinet meeting on April 17.
