Multi-national runs scheme for poorest

Concerns about the new Discretionary Advice Fund first raised by the Bevan Foundation in a recent article on its blog have been reported by the Wales On Sunday, days before the new fund goes live.

Journalist James McCarthy wrote “A multi-million pound government cash reserve for Wales’ poorest is being controlled by a US business with no experience in the field.  Computer firm Northgate Information Solutions is to take over control of the Discretionary Assistance Fund – formerly the Welsh Social Fund – from Tuesday. Northgate is owned by private equity giant KKR.”

His article then quotes Bevan Foundation Director, Victoria Winckler.“Twenty jobs have been created to handle the new system, being run at Wrexham council.  There are commendable targets of a five-day turn-round time for individual assistance payments, although this appears to have changed to two weeks recently, and 24-48 hours for emergency assistance payments.  This will be no mean feat.  It remains to be seen if the level of staffing is adequate for the likely level of applications.”