Findings of the Income Crisis Taskforce: Establishing common principles for responses to income crisis

Article

Income crisis is a worsening epidemic in the UK. Yet the government response has been at best inadequate, and in some cases counterproductive, for example the cuts to benefits and the roll out of universal credit.

In response, several short-term schemes and support services have been set-up, including by national and local government, third-sector organisations and private providers, to help those households in need. These services include provision for essentials such as fuel, food and travel.

The ‘Income Crisis’ Taskforce was formed to explore the extent to which measures to support those people in income crisis were providing effective assistance; whether any common principles could be identified that would drive better outcomes for those who might benefit from the schemes in future; and to suggest how this support could be standardised so that their needs are being properly met. This briefing provides a short summary of the taskforce’s findings. It finds that much of the support provided through the range of interventions is often inconsistent in meeting the needs of those households in income crisis.

Related items

  1. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, River Thames and Westminster Bridge

    Taxing choices: Taking the public’s temperature ahead of the budget

    The stakes for a government are rarely higher than at a budget. Every chancellor has dealt with this differently. Ken Clarke would draft his budget speech with cigars and whisky, Gordon Brown pored over every word in what officials called…
  2. Scottish parliament building at Holyrood and Calton Hill, Edinburgh

    Great expectations: Rejuvenating the national debate in Scotland

    Fresh IPPR Scotland polling shows that politicians must raise their game if next year’s election is a to be serious debate about the challenges facing Scotland and potential solutions. 
  3. A Black man in a bright orange high vis jacket and hard hat stands in the middle of a road holding a sign that says 'STOP - WORKS'

    Unfinished business: Redressing inequality in British policy and Black lives

    As conversations about race and equality continue to evolve, Black History Month remains a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and recommit to progress.