Tag: Department for Work and Pensions

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 6 July 2023.

Target follows Government’s Fraud Plan which sets out bold new measures to fight fraud against the welfare state.

• DWP sets ambitious new target to increase the savings achieved by its counter fraud and error resource.
• This will save more of taxpayers’ money, delivering on the government’s economic priorities to reduce debt and support our public services

The Government has today [Thursday 6 July] set a new target to save at least £1.3 billion in 2023-24 through its dedicated counter fraud and error resource.

This would be a considerable increase on the £1.1billion savings achieved last year, cracking down further on those exploiting the benefits system and stealing from those who most need help.

The details are outlined in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)’s Annual Report and Accounts (ARA), published today.

This is in addition to the latest national statistics that show the rate of overpayments due to fraud and error has fallen by 10% over the last year, as we are determined to go further to eliminate fraud from the system.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:

Our tightened fraud controls and checks resulted in a significant reduction in fraud and error in the last year and now we are seeing the tide start to turn.

Given that our welfare system exists to provide a strong financial safety net for the most vulnerable, it is imperative we continue to prevent anyone abusing this for their own profit, which is why we’re setting a new target to save £1.3bn in the next year and root out fraud wherever we find it.

Minister responsible for tackling fraud, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

Our teams are working flat out to prevent new fraudulent claims and expose people who have been exploiting the system – with strong results.

But we know we need to go even further, because the fraud landscape is changing, with the tactics used by criminals evolving quickly.

Working towards our ambitious new target over the next year will protect taxpayers’ hard-earned cash and enable us to deliver on the Prime Minister’s priorities to reduce debt and grow the economy.

DWP teams tackling fraud include the Counter-Fraud and Compliance Directorate, which focuses on rooting out fraud and error at all levels, including serious organised crime, and investigates bogus benefit claims.

In addition, the newly developed Targeted Case Reviews team will review millions of Universal Credit claims over the next five years – preventing customers from falling further into debt, identifying changes which result in an underpayment, and fast-tracking suspected cases of fraud for investigation.

This team is also providing intelligence on new and emerging ways to identify and prevent fraud and error entering the welfare system so the Department can further strengthen its defences.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 5 July 2023.

A new online Midlife MOT has been launched to help older workers with financial planning, health guidance, and to assess what their skills mean for their careers and futures.

The free Midlife MOT website encourages people to review their skills and help to break down barriers to the labour market, in turn delivering on the Government’s priority to grow the economy. It brings together trusted services, help such as a jobseeker toolkit and charity resources. It will allow people to identify job opportunities across the UK as well as better preparing them for later life and their retirement.

The website signposts to key organisations and charities, including the NHS, Mind, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice and the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) find a job portal.

As part of this, MoneyHelper has created a financial tool which will provide a personalised report to help people understand what to prioritise to improve their financial position, from now through to retirement.

The Midlife MOT was originally launched in Jobcentres across England with work coaches working with claimants to encourage planning for later life and boosting their confidence. Following the initial success, the Government has looked at ways of reaching more people with the service and making it accessible for everyone – right across the UK.

Helen from Bolton is someone who has recently benefitted from the Government’s Midlife MOT offer. She wanted a new challenge and recently found a job as a cleaner in a primary school after having received tailored support from her local Jobcentre.

This included taking part in a Midlife MOT session where Helen, who is in her sixties, improved her confidence levels by conducting a stocktake of her skills and understanding how valuable she would be to an employer. Her story shows that people are never too old to retrain and develop new skills.

Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP said:

We are all living longer and planning for later life is essential but knowing where to start can be daunting. Our digital Midlife MOT is open to everyone and easy to access, and will give people the tools to make informed decisions – on their personal finances, their health and on their careers. I would encourage older people in particular to invest the time to see exactly what it can do for them.

Andy Briggs, CEO of the Phoenix Group and Older Workers Champion for the Government added:

The introduction of an enhanced digital MOT, that’s open to all, is welcome news and, with a focus on work, wealth and wellbeing, it will be an essential tool in helping people make the most of their longer lives. So much so, that Phoenix Group has piloted its own version of the midlife MOT which will be rolled out to colleagues in the coming months.

The desire to stay in meaningful work for longer is already important to many people. More experienced, older workers offer a wealth of knowledge but are often written-off or overlooked for no good reason. Age is no barrier to learning and I encourage businesses to invest for all, to enjoy the benefits of greater retention and more skilled employees.

The digital Midlife MOT forms part of the Government’s wider package to help older workers find and move into work as well as helping those already in work understand what support is available. In the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced that the DWP will be increasing the number of people who can access in person Midlife MOT support via their local Jobcentre, from 8,000 to 40,000 a year.

The Government’s digital offer will be continually reviewed to ensure it is as interactive and tailored as possible and people will soon be able to access content specific to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 16 June 2023.

A government-backed Bill ensuring victims of domestic abuse can receive financial support for their children without contact from their abuser, has been approved by Parliament today (Friday 16 June).

• Parliament approves new powers to stop child maintenance economic abuse
• New law will allow Child Maintenance Service to intervene in payments
• More financial protection for children in separated families

The new law will allow the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to intervene on behalf of parents where abuse is evident, using its powers to collect and make payments.

This set-up, called Collect and Pay, is already used by 37% of parents using the CMS. It provides extra protections for parents who have experienced domestic abuse by avoiding the need for contact and preventing perpetrators from inflicting financial abuse and control.

Work and Pensions Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

“Domestic abuse and coercive control are abhorrent crimes. This positive change will enhance our existing support for domestic abuse victims and ensure they can make a child maintenance claim without the fear of having to deal with an abusive ex-partner.”

The Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill will gain Royal Assent in the coming weeks after successfully passing both Houses of Parliament. It will build on the CMS’s existing procedures to protect both paying and receiving parents who are vulnerable to domestic abuse, ensuring more children in separated families are supported. The Private Members’ Bill was taken through Parliament by Sally-Ann Hart MP and Lord Farmer, with support from the Government.

The change comes following recommendations by a leading expert on domestic abuse, Dr Samantha Callan, who led an independent review into the CMS’s support for victims.

Dr Samantha Callan said:

“I am heartened that the Government have so quickly legislated to strengthen support for parents experiencing domestic abuse following my Review. This extra layer of protection for both parents and children was an important one of my recommendations to build on the CMS’s substantial reform in this area.”

Another government-backed Bill – the Child Support (Enforcement) Bill – which is soon also to become law, will simplify the court process of recouping child maintenance arrears, while continuing to protect paying parents’ appeal rights. This change in this Bill will make it easier and quicker for the CMS to take enforcement action and recoup money owed to families.

Together these changes will significantly strengthen the CMS’s existing support for vulnerable families.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 15 June 2023.

The UK’s Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, set out his ambition to make the UK the most accessible place in the world for disabled people to live and work at a UN conference in New York.

Speaking on the first day of COSP16, the Minister addressed the high-level gathering in a major speech, outlining the UK’s plan to ensure the voices of disabled people are properly heard to help grow the economy for everyone.

The Minister hailed the UK’s commitment to disability rights and inclusion at the 16th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP16) this week.

Addressing COSP16, Minister for Disabled People, Health & Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

“The global context of numerous humanitarian and economic crises, plus the continuing impact of the pandemic, means disability inclusion risks falling further down the agenda.

“The UK remains committed to championing disability rights and inclusion globally.

“Following the launch of our international Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy last year, the UK is focussed on embedding its principles across our huge diplomatic and development network.”

The Minister took part in a series of bilateral meetings and roundtable discussions with his international counterparts from the USA, Canada, Germany, Norway and other nations at the UN’s headquarters, as part of a global agenda to strengthen international collaboration for the rights of disabled people.

In the UK, the Government is working to achieve this through a number of important reforms across government, including the forthcoming Disability Action Plan, which will be consulted on with disabled people and stakeholders later this year.

These reforms will help to deliver the Prime Minister’s priority of creating better-paid jobs and opportunities for everyone across the country.

During the conference, the Minister delivered the UK national statement to the global representatives in which he vowed to promote: “the full, active, and meaningful participation of disabled people in our work”.

He also took part in a discussion on life-changing Assistive Technology (AT), of which the UK is at the forefront thanks to the AT2030 programme run by Global Disability Innovation Hub. It develops new inclusive technologies with the potential to enhance the lives of millions of people.

At a side event co-hosted with the Canadian delegation, the Minister discussed inclusion strategies and plans to improve the social and economic inclusion of disabled people, reducing poverty and increasing accessibility.

At another side event co-hosted with German representatives, he discussed how to close the digital divide to ensure disabled people can benefit from innovation by investing in initiatives that promote digital accessibility.

Additional Information

• The full text of Minister Pursglove’s national statement can be found here: The UK will continue to promote the full, active and meaningful participation of disabled people in our work: Minister Pursglove statement at the General Assembly – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted in December 2006 and it entered into force on 3 May 2008. Article 40 of the Convention stipulates that “The States Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties in order to consider any matter with regard to the implementation of the present Convention.”
• Since 2008, 15 sessions of the Conference of States Parties have been held at United Nations Headquarters, New York.
• The Ministerial segment of COSP is a high-level gathering of decision-makers. Ministers participate in a range of events and bilateral meetings, with the aim of strengthening international political commitment for the rights of disabled people.
• The COSP16 is being held this year in an in-person format at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This is the first fully in-person COSP since the beginning of the pandemic.

The press release issued by the Department of Work and Pensions on 12 June 2023.

The government is giving people more time to pay National Insurance contributions towards their State Pension.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 12 June 2023.

Minister for Pensions Laura Trott is today calling on pensioners to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit ahead of the launch of a new “Invitation to Claim” trial.

• DWP joins forces with charities and broadcasters to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and apply for Pension Credit.
• Nearly 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension Credit, but many aren’t claiming this extra financial help.
• To reach more pensioners, the DWP will be launching an “Invitation to Claim” mailing trial this summer
• The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,500 per year and it can open doors to other benefits.

Pension Credit is worth over £3,500 a year on average and is designed to help with daily living costs for people over State Pension age and on a low income, though you do not need to be in receipt of State Pension to receive it.

The benefit tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £201.05 per week for single pensioners and to £306.85 for couples – or more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.

Currently, nearly 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension Credit and take-up is at the highest level since 2010. However, many are still not claiming this extra financial help.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has also announced a forthcoming “Invitation to Claim” initiative which will see potentially eligible households who receive Housing Benefit across 10 local authorities in Britain sent letters encouraging them to apply for Pension Credit.

Minister for Pensions Laura Trott MBE said:

“We recognise the challenges some pensioners will be facing with the cost of living which is why, alongside driving down inflation, promoting Pension Credit is a priority.

“During the Week of Action, we will be out and about spreading the word – and you can help too. Speak to your older loved ones about Pension Credit and get them to check if they could be eligible for this vital extra support, worth an average of £3,500 per year.”

Even a small Pension Credit award can open doors to other benefits – including help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills, as well as up to £600 in extra Cost of Living payments later this year too.

The Week of Action will see DWP joining forces with charities, stakeholders, broadcasters, and a whole range of partners to highlight the help available and encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and apply.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, said:

“It’s a tragedy that up to a million low income pensioners who’ve paid into the system for years are missing out on what can be a crucial financial top up.

“And even those only due thruppence from it should still claim as Pension Credit is the key gateway benefit that opens the door to many other entitlements – including the remaining £600 cost of living support, council tax reductions, free TV licences (if age over 75) dental and optical support and more.

“Any single pensioner earning under roughly £220 a week, or pension couple earning under £320 should check online or call the pension credit helpline just in case you may be due.”

The DWP continues to work with stakeholders and others to raise awareness of Pension Credit, with a recent push for pensioners to apply before 19 May 2023 to receive the first £301 Cost of Living payment resulting in a 171% spike in claims over the two-week period before the deadline – over 20,000 claims.

During the Week of Action, the DWP and its partners will be tackling some of the myths that may stop people applying, such as how having savings, a pension or owning a home are not necessarily barriers to receiving Pension Credit.

Pension Credit can be claimed by phone and online, ensuring that older people can apply safely and easily, wherever they are. The online Pension Credit calculator is also on hand to help pensioners check if they’re likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. Pension Credit can also be claimed by post.

Additional information:

• Up to an estimated 850,000 eligible households are not claiming Pension Credit, with up to £1.7 billion of available Pension Credit going unclaimed.
• The online Pension Credit calculator helps people find if they’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much they could get. Further information, including on how to claim, can be found here: Pension Credit: Overview. People can also claim by phone on 0800 99 1234. For extra resources for stakeholders and businesses, the department has also produced a Stakeholder Toolkit

All State Pension recipients continue to receive reminders about Pension Credit in the post as part of the Department’s annual uprating communications.

• The DWP’s “Invitation to Claim” trial later this summer will involve DWP sending letters to household identified via Housing Benefit data as being most likely to be entitled to Pension Credit and encouraging pensioners to contact DWP and make a claim.

The ten following local areas have been selected to ensure a representative sample of urban, rural, regional and national areas:

• Eastbourne
• Teignbridge
• Pendle
• Charnwood
• Vale of White Horse
• Redcar and Cleveland
• Craven
• Harrow
• Powys
• West Lothian

Pension Credit recipients by region (as of November 2022):

Region	Recipients
North East	75,406
North West	178,460
Yorkshire and The Humber	121,388
East Midlands	97,190
West Midlands	133,553
East of England	111,346
London	186,969
South East	148,778
South West	113,737
Wales	82,634
Scotland	127,288

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 8 June 2023.

Thousands of families struggling with parental conflict will receive increased support to improve their relationships, thanks to a £2.8 million government boost.

• Eight new projects launched across England to reduce parental conflict and put children first
• Funding to target families at risk of conflict and catch problems early, including those with more complex needs
• Face-to-face and digital support to promote healthier relationships between parents, helping families lead more fulfilling lives

Eight projects from Cornwall to Manchester helping parents to reduce conflict and protect their children’s mental health have received a share of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) funding.

The projects will support a diverse range of parents across England to manage their relationship difficulties, including those with children who have special educational needs; those in rural areas; young parents; LGBTQ+; black, Asian, minority ethnic families, and parents at risk of unemployment.

New programmes and tools will help parents whether they are together or separated, creating more stable communities and supporting employment, in turn helping to grow the economy.

Minister for Work and Pensions Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

“We are stepping up this vital programme to fund innovative initiatives which support a wide range of families with a focus, always, on children’s wellbeing.

“The organisations benefitting from our funding will help parents in early stages of conflict to deal with their difficulties, improve their lives and ensure a stable and healthy environment for the children.”

Successful organisations include: Vennture in Herefordshire, which will collaborate with schools in rural areas where parents struggle to access services, increasing teachers’ awareness of parental conflict and helping families to get support. The Write Time in South London is trialling a six-week programme for parents whose children have special educational needs and disabilities, to develop their relationships and reduce conflict.

As well as local-level interventions, funding has been allocated to two nationwide digital projects which will support parents and practitioners to reduce conflict and protect children.

OnePlusOne will develop a new app to help separating parents. It will provide advice and support on the practical aspects of separation including childcare, financial and legal arrangements as well as online access to professional mediators. Relate is developing digital self-help tools including a chatbot, a free Reducing Parental Conflict toolkit and a resource hub for professionals, including a national database of support services.

Both of these projects will eventually be available to local authorities to help support struggling families and for those working in family law to recommend.

Since launching in 2018, the DWP’s Reducing Parental Conflict programme has been pivotal in finding ways to address relationship distress between parents, to protect children’s mental health.

The programme has supported thousands of couples and separated parents to manage their conflict better, equipping their children to reach their full potential as adults. It has already worked with all local authorities and dozens of organisations in England to lead the way in building a solid evidence base on what works to help families.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 31 May 2023.

Universal Credit’s maximum childcare payments will rise nearly 50% – up to £1,630 per month – from 28 June.

• Additional support worth up to £522 a month for families
• Many parents will get help from DWP immediately with their first bill – instead of in arrears – to help them manage their budgets
• Comes alongside plans to boost childcare workforce to deliver historic expansion of free childcare from nine months to the start of school

As part of the Government’s biggest ever expansion to childcare provision, low-income families will be able to access increased childcare support worth a total of £900 million from 28 June.

Later this month, the Department for Work and Pensions will raise the amount that parents in Great Britain can claim back monthly for their childcare costs on Universal Credit up to £951 for one child and £1,630 for two or more children. This is a rise of 47% from the previous limits of £646 for one child or £1,108 for two or more children.

At the same time, the Government will help eligible parents cover the costs for the first month’s childcare when they enter work or significantly increase their hours, removing one of the most significant barriers to parents working and helping to grow the economy.

Those parents will also receive up to 85% of their childcare costs back before their next month’s bills are due – meaning they should have money to pay one month in advance going forward.

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

These changes will help thousands of parents progress their career without compromising the quality of the care that their children receive.

By helping more parents to re-enter and progress in work, we will be able to cut inactivity and help grow the economy.

To boost the early years workforce and encourage more people to consider childcare as a valuable and rewarding career, the Department for Education is also launching a consultation in England today to remove unnecessary burdens the childcare sector face. This follows extensive engagement with the sector to understand how they can be supported to deploy and train up their staff most effectively.

This is alongside a package of measures to make sure the Government’s historic expansion of free childcare is delivered successfully – with 15 free hours available for working parents of two-year-olds from April 2024, 15 free hours from nine months to the start of school available from September 2024, rising to 30 free hours from September 2025.

From September, the hourly rates paid to providers to deliver free childcare for two-year-olds will increase by 30% from an average rate of £6 to £8. This represents a significant increase in funding for early years.

Government will also launch a new recruitment campaign early next year to attract and retain talent and consider how to introduce new accelerated apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship routes so everyone from junior staff to senior leaders can easily move into a career in the sector.

Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing Claire Coutinho said:

We are supporting families with the largest ever expansion of free childcare, making sure that places will be available for parents who need them. This will save a working parent using 30 hours a week an average of £6,500.

We have already announced plans to boost the amount government pays childcare providers, and now we’re knocking down barriers to recruiting and retaining the talented staff that provide such wonderful care for our children.

This package represents a key pillar of the Government’s drive to reduce economic inactivity. In total, the Government is investing £3.5 billion over five years to boost workforce participation, including helping as many people as possible, such as parents, into work which will in turn grow the economy.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 May 2023.

More than six million disabled people in the UK will receive their one-off £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment from 20 June.

• Vast majority of £150 payments set to be made automatically over two-week period between 20 June and 4 July 2023
• More than six million disabled people will receive payment and benefit from extra cost of living support
• Comes as part of wider package of Government support, including separate means-tested Cost of Living Payments totalling up to £900, and £300 Pensioner Payments

This follows the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment that was paid last September, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in society while delivering on its commitment to halve inflation this year and grow the economy.

Those being paid a disability benefit that qualifies them for the payment will receive it automatically during a two-week window starting on 20 June and finishing on 4 July.

At a time when costs are rising for everyone, this payment recognises the extra costs disabled people in particular often face, such as care and mobility needs.

A small proportion of payments will be made after this date, where claimants were still awaiting confirmation of their eligibility or entitlement to disability benefits on 1 April.

There will also be further payments of £300 for pensioners due later this year, meaning some of the most vulnerable households can receive up to £1,350 in direct Cost of Living Payments.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:

This payment helps protect those who need our support the most, providing a vital financial boost to six million disabled people.

Our multi-billion-pound package of support reinforces our commitment to help UK households with the rising cost of living. It comes on top of record increases to benefits and the national living wage.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

We know the cost of living has gone up for disabled people, which is why we are taking action to reduce the financial pressures they face.

This £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment is on top of up to £900 that most low-income benefit claimants will also receive, helping ensure the most vulnerable in our society are protected from rising costs during this challenging period.

The full list of benefit recipients that qualify for the upcoming Disability Cost of Living payment are those who receive:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Scottish Disability Benefits (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• War Pension Mobility Supplement

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 May 2023.

A new £3.7 million employment programme will see mentors who have beat drug or alcohol addiction placed in Jobcentres to help others with dependencies recover and get back into work.

• Mentors with experience of drug or alcohol dependency set to guide people on journey out of addiction and into work
• £3.7 million DWP programme is being trialled in 40 Jobcentres across England this month as part of efforts to grow the economy
• Mentors hail return to work as vital step to their own recovery and a pathway out of addiction

The new peer mentoring programme, run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is being trialled in 40 Jobcentres across England from May 2023 and is part of wider efforts to support people back into work – delivering on the Government’s priority to grow the economy.

Now open for referrals, it will see mentors, contracted by DWP after being recommended by partner organisations, draw on their lived experiences of drug or alcohol dependency to support people in the same position.

They will help others in disclosing their dependency issues without fear of reprisal, signpost them to help that will assist them to manage their addiction, and eventually equip them with the necessary skills to access education, training, volunteering, and employment.

Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP, said:

Our new peer mentors are proof that work can be a crucial part of someone’s journey out of substance dependency, transforming their life.

Their lived experience will help them provide expert one-to-one advice and support from DWP in our Jobcentres, helping people recovering from addiction move into work.

“This new form of support will not only give people in recovery the tailored help they need to get on in life and prosper, but it will also help grow our economy by getting more people back into the workforce.”

Declan, a peer mentor whose journey back into work helped him overcome 20 years of substance dependency, said:

I spent around 20 years using continuously, almost every couple of days in the second decade. Having a close friend pass away because of an overdose was the beginning of my journey out of substance dependency.

“Volunteering really helped me in my recovery and set me up for a return to work. In my new role as peer mentor, I’m looking forward to helping people who are going through the same sort of issues I had and starting them on their journey to recovery.”

Gary, another mentor who is drawing from his own experience of opiate dependency in his new role, said:

I was opiate dependent for 15 years and used crack cocaine. After a short spell in prison, due to offending related to my drug use, I linked with a support worker upon release. They pointed me towards a place that supported recovery and helped people gain life and employment skills.

“I’m now pleased to be taking up this new peer mentoring role and helping others who share similar experiences to my own. The space and time DWP are providing for people with drug or alcohol dependency is a vital step in the right direction for their recovery and eventual employment.”

In addition to this support, DWP is also investing over £39 million to expand its Individual Placement and Support for drug and alcohol dependency programme to all Local Authority areas in England by 2025. This programme supports individuals in structured drug and alcohol treatment to find and remain in employment.

The new peer mentoring service is open for referrals in Jobcentres in the following areas and organisations working with those who are dependent on substances, or individuals themselves are encouraged to get in touch:

• North East: Hull
• South East: Portsmouth, Cosham, Fareham, Havant, Gosport
• London & Essex: Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Westminster, Camden, Newham, Islington, Croydon, Lambeth
• North West: Liverpool City, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Southport, Sefton, Halton

Notes to Editors:

The Peer Mentoring Programme is part of the Government’s 10-year drugs strategy to reduce crime and save lives, including actions to break drug supply chains and delivering a world-class treatment and recovery system