– DWP report – perceptions of welfare reform

Perceptions of welfare reform and Universal Credit

A report based on qualitative research by the Department for Work and Pensions has been published to explore the views of claimants, staff, employers and the wider public about Universal Credit. This is the first in a series of reports on research commissioned to inform the design and delivery of Universal Credit.

In total, over 200 respondents in a range of circumstances were engaged through a mixture of focus groups, case studies and in-depth interviews. Research was conducted in six locations across Britain between December 2010 and January 2011.

Findings;

• A broad consensus on the need for reform to the welfare and benefits system.

• Broad support for most of the underlying principles of reform, particularly the aim of increasing fairness, which was interpreted by respondents as the ability to discriminate between those with genuine need and those without.

• However, awareness of Universal Credit was low at this early stage.

• Respondents felt Universal Credit should positively incentivise work to ensure that it is unquestionably more rewarding to work than receive benefits. The degree of financial incentive, however, was not seen as sufficiently compelling.

•  Reactions to the single, integrated payment were mixed. The prospect of a ‘one-stop shop’ was favorably viewed but a potential was also seen for increased risks of placing ‘all eggs in one basket’ in terms of having all benefits issued by one entity in case something goes wrong.

• The possibility of monthly payment emerged as a significant concern for many and there was strong preference for an option to be provided for more frequent payment.

• There was a perception that the online service delivery channel could lead to lower compliance and increased fraud. In addition, online delivery was an issue for those without access or confidence in using the internet.

• There was general suspicion of the Government’s motives for introducing Universal Credit, and about whether the change would make people genuinely better off.

Click here to access the report

Website: DWP

Source:

Amanda Frewin

Research & Project Support