We’re looking at the working age benefits system and answering the questions likely being asked by government ministers: how can the rising costs of benefits be managed, and what changes could improve the system?
With disability and incapacity benefit caseloads rising and the Universal Credit rollout still ongoing, what options does the government have to address these challenges? How might frozen housing support and past cuts to working-age benefits be impacting the most vulnerable? Should the government abolish the two-child limit?
To tackle these questions, Paul is joined by Tom Waters and Carl Emmerson from the IFS.
Find out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts
00:00 Introduction to Universal Credit
00:00:40 How many people receive Working-Age Benefits
00:02:00 Universal Credit Overview
00:03:00 Eligibility for Universal Credit
00:03:50 Other Benefits – Disability and Child Benefits
00:08:10 Disability Benefit Costs and Increase
00:12:00 Factors Behind the Rise in Disability Claims
00:19:00 Universal Credit Rollout and Tax Credit Transition
00:21:40 Fraud, Errors, and Benefit Engagement
00:26:30 Housing Support in Universal Credit
00:30:50 Working-Age Benefit Cuts and Their Impacts
00:34:00 Reforming the Benefit Cap and Child Benefits
00:39:30 Challenges for the Government
00:42:00 Conclusion and Closing Remarks