Summary
‘Consultation Responses to 21st Century Welfare’ (Cm. 7971) details the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) response to problems of poor work incentives and complexity in the benefits and tax credits systems raised in a consultation paper in July 2010.
'21st Century Welfare’ (Cm. 7913) proposes the need for a balance between encouraging those on benefits to take on a job whilst maintaining financial support for those most in need. The workless population in the UK needs to be reviewed extensively to ensure public money is invested in essential areas.
One of the main proposals in the paper was universal credit, which would incorporate out-of-work benefits, in-work support, and appropriate amounts for housing, disability and families, for people of working age.
The overall themes of responses to this issue suggest:
- Agreement that fundamental reform is necessary and support of the basic tenets of the proposals.
- Of the five options for reform suggested - there is widespread agreement with the universal credit proposal.
- Overwhelming support for simplifying and streamlining both the benefit structure and the delivery process.
- A strong belief that people should be clearly better off in work than on benefits.
- The need for more details before full endorsement of the proposals can be given.
The White Paper, ‘Universal Credit: welfare that works’ (Cm. 7957) sets out the Government’s more detailed plans for welfare benefit system reform.
Found this story interesting?
Spread the news by
clicking below to add it to your bookmarking service: