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21st Century Welfare

AdviceUK responded to the Department for Work and Pensions' discussion paper '21st Century Welfare'. The paper was published on 30 July 2010 and sets out ideas and principles for reforms of the welfare benefits and tax credits system.

For more information visit the DWP web site.

AdviceUK welcomed the discussion paper and the general move it signals towards simplification, consistency and reduction in bureaucracy. However, we made the over-riding point that top-down design and reform will not work. It must be based on the knowledge and experience of front-line benefits and credits staff, advice services and people who claim benefits and credits.

Download our response below.

Universal Credit: Welfare that works?

On 11 November 2010, DWP released Universal Credit: Welfare that works, setting out Government proposals to radically reform the benefits and tax credits system. The proposals have been cautiously welcomed, but many questions remain unanswered about exactly how barriers to work will be removed and 350,000 taken out of poverty. This is especially the case when benefit cuts already announced by the Government will cause severe hardship and poverty before the transition to Universal Credit is made – see a useful Citizens Advice briefing on this. CPAG commented that the Government has made work incentives worse for existing claimants and that sanctions are ‘an expensive red herring’ – click here to read more.

We’re certain that welfare cuts and reforms will lead to increased demand for advice. But don’t worry, as the DWP paper says:

‘Currently many people also look to voluntary sector organisations for advice and support in dealing with the system, and these organisations often devote effort to chasing progress on benefit claims and correcting errors. Improved service delivery and greater transparency and certainty resulting from Universal Credit should help voluntary organisations to perform this role more easily and effectively.’

Other responses and comments

Have you submitted a response or made a comment? If you have, please let us have copy or web link to it. Here are some we have noted:

AdviceUK member Community Links' response

Attached documents