21st Century Welfare
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Read the response from organisations and the public to proposals for a Universal Credit scheme which would simplify the benefits system and improve incentives for people in work, and details of the government’s plans in the light of those responses.
Original consultation
Consultation description
Iain Duncan Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, set out his plans to completely change the benefits system in this paper.
He proposes to help people move into work by letting them keep more of their earnings. This would make sure that the advantages of work are clear and easy to understand. There would be a major reform of the range of credits and benefits available, and how help from these will reduce bit by bit as people start and progress in their work.
The proposals for a simpler benefits system could:
- bring together parts of the current benefits and Tax Credit systems
- simplify the financial help available to people both in and out of work
- allow extra support for things like housing, children and disability
People would be encouraged to get a job as they would not lose benefit until their earnings reached a certain level. Over this level benefits would gradually reduce as their earnings increased.
As support is not linked to the hours they can work, people will also be able to progress their careers.
A modern automatic payment system will be introduced. This will allow a fast and flexible response to changes of circumstance. So people can be sure of getting the right support even if they take on temporary work.
This simplified system will reduce mistakes and fraud, and will mean that customers need to spend less time filling out forms when a job ends.
Overall the ideas will aim to provide an affordable welfare system for the future. In doing so this will guarantee that those who cannot work get all the support they need.