Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group

medical cards and the Supplementary Welfare Allowance, local authorities
and other public bodies.
8.7.3 In terms of local government, housing is the main service area where
means testing is carried out. This includes applications for social housing,
and applications for a range of housing schemes and the Rental
Accommodation Scheme (RAS), as well as assessments of local authority
tenants’ income for re-assessment of differential rents. Local authorities are
also involved in means assessments for the purposes of processing
applications for higher education grants, and entitlements to waivers for
environmental charges and fire services charges.
8.7.4 In 2008, local authorities carried out approximately 18,000 means
assessments for new claims on approved housing applications and
approximately 176,000 means reviews. At present, there is only limited
sharing of information and data on means assessment between public
bodies. The Group believes that the existing arrangements involve
considerable duplication of work, both on the part of the applicant who may
have to submit the same information to multiple bodies, and on the part of
the various public bodies that carry out means assessments. In addition, a
common understanding of an individual’s needs is essential for a holistic
approach to good service provision.
8.7.5 A working group established under the Transforming Public Services
programme is currently examining the establishment of a shared approach
towards means assessment to capture the data required across several
support programmes run by different public bodies. The first phase of this
process will involve the simplification and sharing of information by
establishing a common data set. This common data set will be used to
collect information on the basis of a means assessment and will allow the
various participating organisations to determine eligibility for various
services. It has been proposed that a pilot scheme be introduced to allow
for the identification of possible logistical issues, as well as the quantifiable
savings such a system could yield.
8.7.6 A second proposed phase would involve individual organisations
reassessing the costs and benefits of requiring individuals to provide
information in addition to that provided under the common data set, as well
as a possible standardisation of exemptions and allowances. Overall, it has
been proposed that in the long term a central means testing agency model
could be established (either through the establishment of a special-purpose
body to carry out this work on behalf of several public bodies, through an
existing body carrying out this work on behalf of others or through
outsourcing to a contractor). It is understood that any data protection issues
are being dealt with as part of this work.
8.7.7 The Group believes that a shared service approach to this area could yield
significant savings for the local government system and allow for a more
efficient approach towards data collection across the entire public service
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