Ministers will today vow to increase momentum behind the troubled families programme to ensure the £448m three-year initiative delivers greater cashable savings.

Speaking at a Local Government Association (LGA) conference on troubled families later today, communities secretary Eric Pickles will say extrapolation of figures provided by pioneering councils proves authorities could save billions of pounds through more effective household interventions.

‘Momentum is building behind the work and we will do much more in 2013,' said Mr Pickles.

‘We will start showing the communities around these families that things are changing for the better, with kids back in school, crime coming down and parents sorting out their problems and getting back towards work. And we will do all this in bigger numbers than ever before,' Mr Pickles will add.

According to an accompanying DCLG report, Barnet LBC spends on average around £100,000 on each of its troubled families, while for West Cheshire the cost for problem households works out at £76,190 annually – approximately ten times more than is spent on average families.

Greater Manchester councils estimate they could make overall savings of £224m from better use of the £138m allocated to the 8,000 troubled families living in their area.

Sir Merrick Cockell, chair of the LGA said: 'Councils have a longstanding commitment to intervening in the lives of troubled families, so it is encouraging that this report shows their efforts are paying off, saving taxpayers money and improving the lives of residents who are affected by their behaviour.

'It is important that councils, their local partners and the Government continue to pull in the same direction so that every effort is made to ensure support is targeted at those most in need,' Sir Merrick added.