The social security/welfare benefits system is failing, with foodbanks and homelessness just two of the most visible signs of this.
But there is little agreement, even within civil society, on ways forward.
This workshop is one of more than a dozen being held in different parts of the UK to stimulate thinking about the future of social security/welfare benefits, and provide the opportunity for discussion and collaboration among attendees.
In particular, the workshop will input to a project called the Commission on Social Security (welfare benefits), led by Experts by Experience which has issued a Call for Solutions.
The Commission is highly innovative in that all the Commissioners are people with experience of claiming benefits. The Commission’s aim is to produce a White Paper style document setting out a better system and building consensus. The Call for Solutions includes questions such as the following.
Workshop participants will also be welcome to identify solutions on the whole range of issues relevant to social security/welfare benefits. For example, sanctions, Child Benefit, Local Welfare Assistance Schemes, National Insurance contributory benefits, support for housing costs and council tax, individual/household assessments and payments, how increased spending on benefits can be financed, the balance between means-testing or being contributions-based and reflecting people’s particular needs or being universal? etc.
The workshop will have a participatory format including small group work and consensus building activities.
It will be structured around the Call for Solutions being made by the Commission on Social Security led by Experts by Experience but will also identify other possible activity.
Who should attend?
Anyone interested in a better social security/welfare benefits system! Whether you are an individual Expert by Experience, part of a user-led or community group, from a third sector organisation, academia or anywhere else, you will be made very welcome.
Michael Orton and Kate Summers
Any queries please email [email protected]