Labour's New Welfare Changes: A Mixed Bag of Progress and Opportunity for Improvement
The Labour government has taken steps to address the long-standing issues in the welfare system, and while some progress has been made, there is still much work to be done.
Reversing decades of cuts to benefits is a significant achievement, but it is also a missed opportunity to highlight the positive impact that these changes will have on vulnerable members of society. Rather than being celebrated as a victory for Labour's compassionate policies, the government seems hesitant to trumpet its successes in reversing the worst excesses of the Tory era.
Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, has been instrumental in driving forward many of these reforms. As he pointed out during an "in conversation" session at the Fabian thinktank conference, reducing child poverty is what Labour governments do best. The new universal credit standard allowance will rise above inflation every year for four years, which may seem like a small step but will make a positive difference in the lives of those who rely on it.
One significant change that Timms has championed is the removal of the two-child limit, which has been shown to be behind one of the greatest ever falls in child poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported this week that Labour's policy changes are paying off, with 450,000 children set to be lifted out of poverty and an additional 100,000 benefiting from free school meals.
However, despite these successes, there is still a lingering sense that the government is struggling to articulate its vision for the welfare system. Timms acknowledged that the "rising" benefit bill has been a talking point for the Tories, but he stressed that this is a misconception and that the proportion of GDP spent on working-age benefits has remained at 4-5% for decades.
The future jobs fund, which was introduced during the financial crisis, is also being revived as part of Labour's youth guarantee. Work coaches will be trained to provide support to young people who are neither in work nor education, rather than simply punishing them with sanctions.
Ultimately, the key to securing progress on these issues is for the government to change the narrative around benefits and welfare. Rather than allowing the right-wing media to portray those receiving benefits as "scroungers" or "skivers", Labour needs to promote a more nuanced understanding of the complex issues at play.
By highlighting the positive impact that well-designed benefit systems can have, particularly on young people who are struggling to make ends meet in a post-Covid generation, Labour can begin to shift public attitudes and build a more compassionate welfare system.
The Labour government has taken steps to address the long-standing issues in the welfare system, and while some progress has been made, there is still much work to be done.
Reversing decades of cuts to benefits is a significant achievement, but it is also a missed opportunity to highlight the positive impact that these changes will have on vulnerable members of society. Rather than being celebrated as a victory for Labour's compassionate policies, the government seems hesitant to trumpet its successes in reversing the worst excesses of the Tory era.
Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, has been instrumental in driving forward many of these reforms. As he pointed out during an "in conversation" session at the Fabian thinktank conference, reducing child poverty is what Labour governments do best. The new universal credit standard allowance will rise above inflation every year for four years, which may seem like a small step but will make a positive difference in the lives of those who rely on it.
One significant change that Timms has championed is the removal of the two-child limit, which has been shown to be behind one of the greatest ever falls in child poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported this week that Labour's policy changes are paying off, with 450,000 children set to be lifted out of poverty and an additional 100,000 benefiting from free school meals.
However, despite these successes, there is still a lingering sense that the government is struggling to articulate its vision for the welfare system. Timms acknowledged that the "rising" benefit bill has been a talking point for the Tories, but he stressed that this is a misconception and that the proportion of GDP spent on working-age benefits has remained at 4-5% for decades.
The future jobs fund, which was introduced during the financial crisis, is also being revived as part of Labour's youth guarantee. Work coaches will be trained to provide support to young people who are neither in work nor education, rather than simply punishing them with sanctions.
Ultimately, the key to securing progress on these issues is for the government to change the narrative around benefits and welfare. Rather than allowing the right-wing media to portray those receiving benefits as "scroungers" or "skivers", Labour needs to promote a more nuanced understanding of the complex issues at play.
By highlighting the positive impact that well-designed benefit systems can have, particularly on young people who are struggling to make ends meet in a post-Covid generation, Labour can begin to shift public attitudes and build a more compassionate welfare system.
, like it's about time we started treating our most vulnerable citizens with some decent dignity. But, on the other hand, isn't it just a bit weird that they're being all secretive about celebrating their own achievements? Like, don't get me wrong, I'm happy they're addressing long-standing issues and all, but come on, can't they just be proud of themselves for once? 
It's only a matter of time before we're talking about actual significant changes and not just incremental improvements.
... but what about the rest? We still have so many people struggling.
. The fact that child poverty rates are dropping and 450k kids will be lifted out of poverty is just incredible 
! Now, let's talk about the future jobs fund – it's like a safety net for young people who are trying to figure out their lives 
. I think Labour needs to own this narrative and show the public that benefits aren't something to be ashamed of, but rather a way to support people in need 
. And can we please talk about how these reforms will benefit mental health too? 
... been trying to comment for like 10 mins but it just keeps saying "loading" 
all this talk of rising above inflation every year for four years sounds nice, but what's the actual number looking at? 
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. but we need to hear more about how they plan to make this happen and what other changes are coming down the pipeline.