Welfare Reform - responses from key organisations

20 October 2010

The Poverty Alliance has published a briefing paper 21st Century Welfare - key consultation issues .  This paper is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand and engage in the ongoing debate about welfare reform.  It explains the UK Government's proposals in detail, considers some of the options set out for paying for reform, including cuts to universal benefits, and highlights the potential impact for people living in poverty.

Responses

The Poverty Alliance held a meeting with grassroots activists to discuss the proposals for welfare reform set out in the UK Governments consultation paper, 21st Century Welfare.  Based on the issues raised at this meeting and a number of earlier discussions on welfare, the Poverty Alliance have submitted their response to the proposals. 

The Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR) has also held a special members meeting to discuss the proposals. Based on the issues raised at this meeting and the SCOWR Manifesto launched earlier this year, SCOWR have submitted their response to the proposals.

Save the Children has published a report which explores the issue of employment as a way out of poverty for parents.  Whilst employment is seen as the best route out of poverty for many families the report explores how this is not a guarantee: many jobs offer poor pay and prospects, and the benefits system can be an active disincentive for parents to become established in the labour market.  This report discusses the wider issues facing out of work parents and parents in low paid jobs and costs a number of changes to the benefits and tax credit systems.