21 The social impact of moving to a ‘low welfare’ economy

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. List of figures and tables vii
4. About the author ix
5. Acknowledgements xi
6. Part I Introducing the benefits system
7. 1 Introduction 2
8. 2 The makings of a ‘British revolution’: A brief history of benefits 12
9. 3 What are benefits for? 25
10. Part II Mapping it all out – The mechanics of the benefits system
11. 4 Benefit entitlements for people with no other income or savings 39
12. 5 Contribution-based benefit entitlements for people with no other income or savings 66
13. 6 How support changes on moving into work 75
14. Part III A thousand cuts
15. 7 A freeze is as good as a cut 101
16. 8 ‘Unlimited’ welfare 112
17. 9 Welfare reform and the ‘family test’ 122
18. 10 Cuts to Employment and Support Allowance and the ‘limited capability for work’ component of Universal Credit 134
19. 11 Triple locked? Benefits for pensioners 144
20. 12 Welfare that works? The ‘old’ system 153
21. 13 Welfare that works? Universal Credit 163
22. 14 Contribution-based benefits: The great insurance scam 183
23. Part IV Chaos, error and misjudgements – Payments and administration in the benefits system
24. 15 Reasons to be fearful?: Assessing sickness and disability 195
25. 16 ‘Chaos, error and misjudgement’: The administration of Tax Credits and Universal Credit 215
26. 17 Sanctions 223
27. 18 Local benefits, local choices 236
28. 19 Making ‘older people’ older: Changes in the pension age 248
29. Part V The ‘new settlement’ – Benefits in 2020
30. 20 Understanding the ‘low tax, low welfare’ economy 259
31. 21 The social impact of moving to a ‘low welfare’ economy 279
32. Part VI Better benefits
33. 22 Preventing poverty and destitution 301
34. 23 A system that responds to household need 315
35. 24 Supporting ‘socially desirable’ behaviours 325
36. 25 Simplicity from the claimant’s perspective 337
37. 26 Conclusion 346
38. Notes 351
39. Index 381