Welfare
Reform
This page draws together CPAG's most recent published work on welfare reform.
For more on the Government's welfare reform agenda, visit www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/welfarereform/
Press
releases
Policy material
Supporting people into work: the next stage of Housing Benefit reform
Response to the Department for Work and Pensions consultation
February 2010
This response highlights CPAG's concerns over proposed housing benefit reforms, and reflects our view that any such reforms need to safeguard the needs of claimants and their children. While we welcome reforms that will remove financial barriers to employment, we believe that the primary purpose of housing benefit is to ensure that all low income families, whether or not they are in employment, have access to good quality housing.
The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions) (Existing Awards) Regulations (2010):
SSAC Consultation Response
February 2010
CPAG has responded to the Social Security Advisory Committee consultation on new regulations which allow for the movement of existing claimants of incapacity benefit, income support on grounds of disability and severe disablement allowance onto employment and support allowance (ESA). The response highlights our serious concerns over the basis of the proposed regulations, and suggests ways in which they should be made fairer to existing claimants. Read the consultation document on the SSAC website: http://www.ssac.org.uk/pdf/employment_and_support_allowance_regs.pdf
The Housing Benefit Amendment Regulations (2009)
SSAC Consultation Response
February 2009
The Social Security Advisory Committee is consulting on proposals to cap housing benefit for tenants in the private sector at the rate payable for five bedrooms.
CPAG is concerned this will mean large households will get less housing benefit. This could mean they have to split up, spend their benefit income on housing costs, or could even lose their homes. We fear this will impact most severely on children at highest risk of poverty – particularly those in large households, in households affected by disability, and in black and minority ethnic families.
Read the consultation document on the SSAC website: http://www.ssac.org.uk/pdf/Housing_Benefit_Amend_Regs.pdf
Tackling Child Poverty
May 2009
This submission was written to inform a session of the Work and Pensions Select Committee. It analyses the Government's child poverty strategy and raises concerns around the welfare reform agenda. It makes particular points around job quality and the need for better support where parents cannot work. The briefing also comments on how policy is developed across the UK, between devolved administrations and at local authority level.
Welfare Reform Bill: report stage briefing
March 2009
This briefing was sent to MPs ahead of the report stage briefing on the welfare reform legislation. The briefing highlights the child poverty concerns around the legislation and specific ammendments CPAG has called for.
Welfare Reform Bill: Second reading briefing
January 2009
This briefing was prepared for Members of Parliament in advance of the Second Reading of the Welfare Reform Bill on 27 January 2009. It contains an overview of the main concerns that CPAG has about proposals in the Welfare Reform Bill.
Contracting out employment services:
lessons from Australia, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands
By Sharon Wright
December 2008
The UK government aims to eradicate child poverty and reduce public spending by increasing the employment rate to 80 per cent. Proposals to contract out employment services to private and voluntary-sector agencies are a key part of this 'work-first' strategy. This report argues that a rethink is justified in the light of rising unemployment and the credit crunch which occurred after the model was designed.
The author examines the international research evidence and finds remarkably little justification for the proposed changes to the delivery of employment services. In other countries, a market-driven approach to providing employment support has been found to be ineffective. Contractors who are paid by results tend to cream off those who are easiest to help, while 'parking' those who have complex, multiple and long-term needs. The author recommends a longer-term, more sustainable approach – which would include higher benefit levels for jobseekers and better-constructed incentive targets for providers.
No one written off
Response to the July 2008 welfare reform Green Paper
October 2008
This response starts with CPAG's overarching analysis of the Government's welfare reform agenda, before going into specific detail on the chapters in the Green Paper.
CPAG is in favour of more support for those able to work, but we do not believe it is right to increase conditionality and seek to force people into employment. We do not believe the focus on conditionality and sanctions in the Green Paper will increase the employment rate as the Government intends. We are concerned that this approach contradicts anti-poverty policy.
Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008
June 2008
Interact: benefits, tax credits and moving into work
December 2007
This report explores how the tax, tax credit and social security systems interact together, and the effect this has on claimants and people who are moving into work. The research included interviews with claimants, also a modelling exercise designed to find out whether work "pays" in various circumstances. The report is published by CPAG with Community Links and the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group.
Benefit simplification: parliamentary briefing
December 2007
This briefing paper, written for a parliamentary debate on 5 December 2007, summarises CPAG's views on benefit simplification. View the debate online.
In work, better off: CPAG's response to the welfare reform green paper
October 2007
In this response, CPAG raises concerns that the green paper will not succeed in achieving the Government’s aim of eradicating child poverty. CPAG argues that paid employment is not an automatic route out of poverty, and that this green paper does not take sufficient account of problems faced by people who are already disadvantaged and discriminated against in the labour market. CPAG rejects the proposals for more "conditionality" (such as benefits being reduced/withdrawn if the recipient fails to attend interviews) as this may worsen not improve child poverty rates. CPAG argues that this green paper extends the ‘rights and responsibilities’ agenda in a very one sided manner, with the responsibilities being proposed outweighing the rights being granted. CPAG is also concerned that the paper does not give enough detail on how parents would be supported in work, or how the regime of contracting-out support for job seekers to the private/voluntary sector would work in practice.
Work over welfare: lessons from America?
June 2007
In 1996, controversial welfare reforms were introduced in the United States. Ten years on, they have been presented as an unqualified success in terms of a reduced welfare caseload. This briefing by Alison Garnham considers whether the UK should draw on the American 'work-first' approach, whether the US should learn from the UK's experiences, or whether both countries should draw on policies that have proved more effective elsewhere.
Equality for disabled people: How will we know if we are making progress?
May 2007
The Freud Review: Reducing dependency, increasing opportunity: options for the future of welfare to work
May 2007
Welfare
Reform Bill: Second reading briefing from CPAG
July 2006
A
Route out of Poverty? Disabled people, work and welfare reform
June
2006
Welfare
Reform Green Paper: CPAG response
April 2006
Work
and Pensions Select Committee – Further evidence on incapacity
benefits and Pathways to Work
February 2006
Simplification
of the benefits system: CPAG briefing for Public Accounts Committee
evidence session
December 2005
Work
and Pensions Select Committee Inquiry into reform of incapacity
benefits: CPAG response
October 2005
Shaping
the Incapacity Benefit Reforms Green Paper
Response of Child Poverty Action Group
June 2005
Articles
Speeches
Welfare reform: a route to greater social justice
Progress Annual Conference, 04.12.08
Ending Child Poverty in a generation: what welfare state do we need?
CPAG's AGM and Debate, 01.12.08
Welfare
Reform in Scotland
See the Scottish
Campaign for Welfare Reform pages
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