Universal Credit White Paper: ippr response

Article

The universal credit is a sound idea. Any reform that improves incentives to work and humanises the benefits system is welcome. However, it faces several challenges in its ambition to 'make work pay' and reduce worklessness.

Those challenges include:

- the Universal Credit cannot address the real costs of work

- it provides no solution to the most urgent challenge - a lack of jobs

- the promise to make work pay is undermined by benefit cuts

- Compulsory unpaid work: right principle, wrong reform.

Related items

  1. A group of children sit around a table at primary school. A little boy smiles into the camera

    Breaking the cycle: A blueprint for special educational needs and disability (SEND) reform

    The education system is not working well enough for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their families, or the professionals delivering support.
  2. A group of young women laughing sitting around a cafe table

    Making space: Meeting the needs of young women and girls through Young Futures

    This is a critical moment for the government’s delivery of Young Futures Hubs, which can transform outcomes for young women and girls. 
  3. Doctor with patient for consultation, medical advice or procedure at clinic

    Building the foundations for transformation in the NHS

    The government has published a bold 10-year plan to transform England’s health system which, if fully delivered, will make the NHS of tomorrow look radically different from today’s service.