Headlines in the past have questioned the effectiveness of the Troubled Families scheme, which involves targeted intervention by social workers and partners, engaging with whole families on a range of issues, such as crime, anti-social behaviour, unemployment, mental illness and domestic abuse. Councils receive payment by results from central Government.

Since the current programme began in 2015, local authorities have worked with more than 400,000 eligible families, but funding is due to end in 2020.