Merton Council to increase cost of living support, after Lib Dem campaign.

Council to increase cost of living support, after Lib Dem campaign

Labour-run Merton Council has belatedly announced plans to introduced more support for residents on low incomes. This follows a two-year long Liberal Democrat campaign.

In both 2024 and 2026, Labour councillors blocked Lib Dem plans to help over 20,000 Merton households access millions in unclaimed benefits and social tariffs. Specialist tools and benefits calculators would be used to help identify people who were eligible.

A recently published Cabinet report revealed that Merton has now invested in Policy in Practice's LIFT tool which it says will enable the Council to "run a proactive benefit take-up campaign targeting eligible residents who are not yet claiming."

Merton joins a growing number of councils using the technology. Liberal-Democrat run South Cambridgeshire have already helped over 1,000 residents using the LIFT tool.

The Council will finance this through the Government's Crisis and Resilience Fund, which will only cost £8k per year.

The tool has delivered significant returns on investment elsewhere, with one Council recovering £650k debt to the authority.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat finance and cost of living lead, Cllr Richard Poole said:

"We are delighted that Labour has finally listened to our calls to provide better support for residents on low incomes.

"This technology has transformed how councils deliver cost-of-living support, allowing them to proactively target and signpost residents while reclaiming council debt.

"This is exactly why we have repeatedly called for a 'Benefits Boost' strategy.

"We look forward to seeing the difference it makes for residents here in Merton."

Notes:

You can find out more about Policy in Practice's tool here.

For further information, or to speak to Cllr Richard Poole, please contact: Richard@mertonlibdems.gov.uk