Housing

Department for Work and Pensions

Ashwin was Deputy Director, Housing Research & Analysis at the Department for Work & Pensions from 2005 to 2007.  Responsible for the government’s research and analysis on Housing Benefit, he delivered a programme of economic analysis and social and operational research, advising ministers on strategy, policy and delivery of the benefit.

Ashwin helped ministers steer the Local Housing Allowance (reform of private sector Housing Benefit) through Parliament.  He focused the department’s attention on the links between social housing, Housing Benefit and worklessness, increasing understanding of how delivery of benefits could affect work-seeking behaviour by more than the financial incentives in the benefit design.

He sharpened performance management of local authorities’ delivery of the benefit, particularly their efforts to tackle fraud & error.

Broadway Homelessness and Support

Ashwin is Vice-Chair of the board of Broadway Homelessness and Support.  He chairs the board's Services and Performance sub-committee, focusing on service quality and performance.  He is also the organisation's board-level champion of excellence in customer service.

"To feel much for others and little for ourselves; to restrain our selfishness and exercise our benevolent affections, constitute the perfection of human nature."

Adam Smith