Benefits Adminstration
In the UK, the administration of taxes, pensions, welfare allowances and other forms of personal benefits was outsourced by local government from the 1980s, with mixed results.
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Local Authority Experience in Outsourcing Housing and Council Tax Benefits (PDF) Harvey, John; Gray, Robin; Fimister, Geoff and MacNeill, Ken (IRIS Consulting with IRRV Solutions), 2003 Department for Work & Pensions
This in-house study is carried out by IRIS Consulting with IRRV Solutions on behalf of the Department for Works and Pensions. The report sets out the findings of a research project on the impact and effects of outsourcing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefits administration. The main aim of the study is to see what lessons can be derived from local outsourcing experience. The key findings show a mixed range of experiences. From the findings, an emphasis is made particularly on the need for good procurement. The report also includes in-depth case studies on eight local authorities.
UKHousing Benefit: The National Perspective (PDF) Audit Commission, 2002 Audit Commission This report by the Audit Commission makes recommendations to central government about the ways in which the Housing Benefit system should be improved, from a national perspective. The study is based on field work carried out many local authorities. The report concludes that in the long term, radical change is required to the system. ISBN 186240366X UK