Cambridgeshire County Council has approved the procurement of a new data-led system designed to provide more targeted support to low-income families and help prevent poverty. The decision follows recommendations from the 2025 Cambridgeshire Poverty Strategy Commission, which emphasized the need to ensure residents access all benefits they are entitled to while reducing avoidable financial outgoings. This approach, known as ‘income maximisation,’ aims to prevent financial crises, stabilise household budgets, and improve long-term financial resilience.
Until now, income maximisation support in the county largely depended on residents seeking help at moments of crisis. The new system will enable earlier and more systematic identification of families who could benefit from support, ensuring assistance reaches those in need before financial difficulties escalate. By leveraging data, the council can proactively identify missed benefits, notify families eligible for Free School Meals, and pinpoint geographic pockets of need to inform the planning of other services.
The system has already shown success in South Cambridgeshire District Council, where nearly 1,000 additional claims were secured in its first year, worth over £500,000 to residents, with a lifetime value estimated at nearly £4 million. The new contract in Cambridgeshire will cost between £200,000 and £220,000 annually over three years, fully funded by the Department for Work and Pensions’ Crisis and Resilience Fund. Data-led interventions in other areas have shown a return of over £400 for every £1 spent, highlighting the potential cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits of the programme.
Council leaders emphasise that the system will not only address immediate financial hardship but also help build long-term resilience and independence for residents. Councillor Alison Whelan, chair of the Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee, highlighted that this initiative will provide meaningful, tangible benefits to families, helping them manage living costs, maintain health, and strengthen financial stability for the future. The procurement represents a key milestone in Cambridgeshire’s ongoing commitment to fairness, opportunity, and poverty reduction.
