Britain is going through the most radical upheaval of the benefits system since its foundations were laid at the end of the 1940s. In Broken Benefits, Sam Royston argues that social security isn't working, and without a change in direction, it will be even less fair in the future.
Drawing on original research and high-profile debates, this much-needed book provides an introductory guide to social security, correcting misunderstandings and exposing poorly understood problems. It reveals how some workers pay to take on additional hours; that those who pay national insurance contributions may get nothing in return; that some families can be paid to split apart; and that many people on the lowest incomes are seeing their retirement age rise the fastest.
Broken Benefits includes real-life stories, models of household budgets, projections of benefit spending, and a free online calculator showing the impact of welfare changes on personal finances. The book presents practical ideas of how benefits should be reformed, to create a fairer, simpler and more coherent system for the future.
Part I: INTRODUCING THE BENEFITS SYSTEM;
Introduction;
The makings of a 'British revolution': A brief history of benefits;
What are benefits for?;
Part II: MAPPING IT ALL OUT - THE MECHANICS OF THE BENEFITS SYSTEM;
Benefit entitlements for people with no other income or savings;
Contribution-based benefit entitlements for people with no other income or savings;
How support changes on moving into work;
Part III: A THOUSAND CUTS;
A freeze is as good as a cut;
'Unlimited' welfare;
Welfare reform and the 'family test';
Cuts to Employment and Support Allowance and the 'limited capability for work' component of Universal Credit;
Triple locked? Benefits for pensioners;
Welfare that works? The 'old' system;
Welfare that works? Universal Credit;
Contribution-based benefits: The great insurance scam;
Part IV: CHAOS, ERROR AND MISJUDGEMENTS - PAYMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION IN THE BENEFITS SYSTEM;
Reasons to be fearful?: Assessing sickness and disability;
'Chaos, error and misjudgement': The administration of Tax Credits and Universal Credit;
Sanctions;
Local benefits, local choices;
Making 'older people' older: Changes in the pension age;
Part V: THE 'NEW SETTLEMENT' - BENEFITS IN 2020;
Understanding the 'low tax, low welfare' economy;
The social impact of moving to a 'low welfare' economy;
Part VI: BETTER BENEFITS;
Preventing poverty and destitution;
A system that responds to household need;
Supporting 'socially desirable' behaviours;
Simplicity from the claimant's perspective;
Conclusion.
