Universal Basic Services is the idea of a form of social security in which a community receive free access to public services. In this article Rajiv Prabhakar, Senior Lecturer in Personal Finance at the Open University, discusses the Leeds Council cash first pilot and the way provides evidence about the ways cash and services can combine to help those in need access basic services
Leeds City Council has been working to promote financial inclusion in the city, addressing poverty and poor life outcomes. We heard from Jo Rowlands, Financial Inclusion Manager at Leeds City Council. They discussed the importance of a strategic, holistic approach to confronting financial exclusion.
In 2004, Leeds’ economy was booming and showing promising signs of becoming a northern powerhouse. However, there was a significant minority who were not enjoying the economic uplift. In this case study we’ll look at Leeds City Council’s approach to financial inclusion.