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Spending priorities in the benefits system: Deliberative research with the public
This report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) aims to understand citizens' views of the welfare state, particularly how the public feel about different working age benefits for adults.
Ipsos MORI carried out seven extended workshops across Great Britain with members of the general public. The purpose of these workshops was to gather information. This informations was not intended to form part of the process for setting benefit levels.
The workshops looked at how the public perceive different customer groups of the DWP, which of the customer groups should be treated as priorities by DWP, and what levels of benefits are fair for each as a result.
The findings of the workshops included:
All participants strongly supported the provision of State support and financial benefits for those in need. They believed that the welfare state should both protect and empower people through the provision of active help (such as training), selective help for the most vulnerable and asset-based help (through in-work payments).
Participants had limited awareness of the work of DWP but broadly supported the principles underpinning the welfare state and agreed with the aims of the Department.
Workless lone parents - some participants argued that the lone parent should be able to provide constant care for their children, others felt that by looking for employment the family would be financially better off and the children would be shown the importance of work. For this to be achieved it was thought that lone parents would need help regarding skills training, flexible working policies and financial assistance.
Workless couples with no children - participants felt that they chose not to work and so should be subject to sanctions, although they may lack confidence and require skills training.
Couples (one working, with children) - most felt that it should be the decision of the family as to whether one person stays at home to look after the children but also believed that their financial situation would be improved if they both found work - even if only part time. Participants suggested greater publicity of in-work benefits along with practical help such as up-skilling.
Full-time carers - should receive more money from the State to cover living costs and to compensate them for being taken out of the workplace, where they have given up work to provide care. More generally, it was thought that carers need access to respite care, training on how to perform their role, emotional support and information on the services they can access.
Disabled people who are unable to work - this group should be paid more money in benefits to help cover the additional costs of living and, additionally, to enable them be self-sufficient rather than relying on others. Some participants believed that in these cases, the State should cover wants (such as holidays, social activities and entertainment) as well as needs (including housing, sustenance and utilities).
Long-term unemployed - responses were mixed for this group, some wanting more sanctions to encourage them to find work and others more skills training and support
Short-term unemployed - Participants assumed that this customer group would be more skilled and may be unemployed due to redundancy so questioned their need for financial assistance. However, some thought this unfair and argued for early interventions with regard to skills training.
Participants suggested that two things determined whether someone was deserving of support - whether someone had personal choice over their circumstances and the amount of effort they put in to changing them, assuming they were able to do so.
Carers and disabled people who are unable to work were perceived as being the most deserving as they have no choice about the situation they are in.
However, all participants advocated that the DWP should provide a minimum level of support for all its customers, though some argued that this amount should be adjusted depending on the customer's personal situation.
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