Welfare
Reform Archive
Policy material archive
Welfare Reform Bill: report stage briefing
March 2009
This briefing was sent to MPs ahead of the report stage briefing on the welfare reform legislation. The briefing highlights the child poverty concerns around the legislation and specific ammendments CPAG has called for.
Welfare Reform Bill: Second reading briefing
January 2009
This briefing was prepared for Members of Parliament in advance of the Second Reading of the Welfare Reform Bill on 27 January 2009. It contains an overview of the main concerns that CPAG has about proposals in the Welfare Reform Bill.
Contracting out employment services:
lessons from Australia, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands
By Sharon Wright
December 2008
The UK government aims to eradicate child poverty and reduce public spending by increasing the employment rate to 80 per cent. Proposals to contract out employment services to private and voluntary-sector agencies are a key part of this 'work-first' strategy. This report argues that a rethink is justified in the light of rising unemployment and the credit crunch which occurred after the model was designed.
The author examines the international research evidence and finds remarkably little justification for the proposed changes to the delivery of employment services. In other countries, a market-driven approach to providing employment support has been found to be ineffective. Contractors who are paid by results tend to cream off those who are easiest to help, while 'parking' those who have complex, multiple and long-term needs. The author recommends a longer-term, more sustainable approach – which would include higher benefit levels for jobseekers and better-constructed incentive targets for providers.
No one written off
Response to the July 2008 welfare reform Green Paper
October 2008
This response starts with CPAG's overarching analysis of the Government's welfare reform agenda, before going into specific detail on the chapters in the Green Paper.
CPAG is in favour of more support for those able to work, but we do not believe it is right to increase conditionality and seek to force people into employment. We do not believe the focus on conditionality and sanctions in the Green Paper will increase the employment rate as the Government intends. We are concerned that this approach contradicts anti-poverty policy.
Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008
June 2008
Interact: benefits, tax credits and moving into work
December 2007
This report explores how the tax, tax credit and social security systems interact together, and the effect this has on claimants and people who are moving into work. The research included interviews with claimants, also a modelling exercise designed to find out whether work "pays" in various circumstances. The report is published by CPAG with Community Links and the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group.
Benefit simplification: parliamentary briefing
December 2007
This briefing paper, written for a parliamentary debate on 5 December 2007, summarises CPAG's views on benefit simplification. View the debate online.
In work, better off: CPAG's response to the welfare reform green paper
October 2007
In this response, CPAG raises concerns that the green paper will not succeed in achieving the Government’s aim of eradicating child poverty. CPAG argues that paid employment is not an automatic route out of poverty, and that this green paper does not take sufficient account of problems faced by people who are already disadvantaged and discriminated against in the labour market. CPAG rejects the proposals for more "conditionality" (such as benefits being reduced/withdrawn if the recipient fails to attend interviews) as this may worsen not improve child poverty rates. CPAG argues that this green paper extends the ‘rights and responsibilities’ agenda in a very one sided manner, with the responsibilities being proposed outweighing the rights being granted. CPAG is also concerned that the paper does not give enough detail on how parents would be supported in work, or how the regime of contracting-out support for job seekers to the private/voluntary sector would work in practice.
Work over welfare: lessons from America?
June 2007
In 1996, controversial welfare reforms were introduced in the United States. Ten years on, they have been presented as an unqualified success in terms of a reduced welfare caseload. This briefing by Alison Garnham considers whether the UK should draw on the American 'work-first' approach, whether the US should learn from the UK's experiences, or whether both countries should draw on policies that have proved more effective elsewhere.
Equality for disabled people: How will we know if we are making progress?
May 2007
The Freud Review: Reducing dependency, increasing opportunity: options for the future of welfare to work
May 2007
Welfare
Reform Bill: Second reading briefing from CPAG
July 2006
A
Route out of Poverty? Disabled people, work and welfare reform
June
2006
Welfare
Reform Green Paper: CPAG response
April 2006
Work
and Pensions Select Committee – Further evidence on incapacity
benefits and Pathways to Work
February 2006
Simplification
of the benefits system: CPAG briefing for Public Accounts Committee
evidence session
December 2005
Work
and Pensions Select Committee Inquiry into reform of incapacity
benefits: CPAG response
October 2005
Shaping
the Incapacity Benefit Reforms Green Paper
Response of Child Poverty Action Group
June 2005
Speeches archive
Welfare reform: a route to greater social justice
Progress Annual Conference, 04.12.08
Ending Child Poverty in a generation: what welfare state do we need?
CPAG's AGM and Debate, 01.12.08
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