1. Working with the SWF Donald Proctor Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service

2. Responsiveness Crisis? What Crisis? 2 day decision time for CGs LAs prioritising very urgent cases? Processing times in Regs or Guidance? Key that times are adhered to and applicants not left without support Prompt remedy for missed deadlines

3. Discretion National Consistency v Local Policy Fettering: DMs following Guidance or Local Policy in an “unquestioning way” Investigation of application v Local Policy Guidance 7.4 “each application should be considered on its own merits” Decisions applicant focused

4. Payment Access to Bank Accounts Applicant demographic – financial exclusion Vulnerabilities counting against applicant – Substance/Alcohol Abuse Supervised Spend v Human Rights

5. Review 3 rd Sector support for applicants seeking review to increase numbers Training for 3 rd Sector (by 3 rd Sector?) Sample letters/templates 2nd tier Review: Independent and Perceived to be so IRS RIP