We Are The Super Cool

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/

Last week I completed an IT strategy for a housing association and as you do, updated my section on PESTLE factors. Key in these over the last few years have been UC - Universal Credit and UK Benefit Reform.

On updating my information I was struck how the recent storms and weather related news had managed to further keep the heat off how this big wayward project is going. The last set of updates of any substance (if you could call it that), was delivered at the NHF Welfare Reform – Keeping on Track Conference, back in October.

If you attended that one in London, you would have heard the aptly named Jean Cooling, doing her best to be upbeat, while not actually able to provide solid facts to the assembled housing folk and system suppliers in attendance. In fact you got the distinct feeling that even though delegates were asking point blank, "When is this all coming", Ms Cooling was doing her best to answer different questions entirely.

We all know what a money pit this project is. The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has talked about write offs anywhere between £140m and £425m of wasted IT work, although that old cove IDS is always quick to tell us that "He believes it's all on track now, with all those fears and allegations must be based on 'old news', before its been recently sorted".

While housing staff and systems providers are justly appalled by the rampant waste of our own taxpayers money, their primary interest is planning strategies and systems to support it if/when it comes. No doubt, there is a lot to do in the sector. The only good thing about this, is that it gives us more time to help residents access simple bank accounts, move to payment cards or Direct Debit and stabilise arrears, in order to be 'ahead' or at the very least, always clearing their balance totally, at each debit period.

In the meantime, stay cool(ing), people!

Related Post :

http://tonysmiththathousingitguy.blogspot.com/2012/12/last-christmas-before-universal-credit.html

You can link with me on LinkedIn here - uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/ It would be great to connect !

Space Monkeys - We Are The Super Cool .

(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009

PS As usual, if there are subjects you might like me to tackle on this blog, please get in touch and let me know!

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