welfare state

Centre that provides expertise in the fields of welfare and social policy development in a broad sense - in particular in areas where multi-or interdisciplinary approaches, integrated policies and inter-sectoral action are called for.

The European Centre is a UN-affiliated intergovernmental organisation concerned with all aspects of social welfare policy and research.

The research areas include: ageing and generations; childhood, youth and families; incomes, poverty and social inclusion; long-term care and personal social services; and welfare society.

Paper that describes the background to personalisation and then goes on to offer an analysis of the different policy options that will open up citizens, professionals, families, communities and policy-makers to its potential.

Paper that explores the operation of the parity principle in Northern Ireland (NI), drawing on experiences of Scotland. Issues considered include the background to the ‘parity principle’ in NI and other examples where it has been identified as an issue, an exploration of the range of arguments articulated as to the implications of breaking parity with GB, how the implications vary depending on the specific policy areas in question, and the likely outcomes of breaking parity in relation to measures included in the Welfare Reform Bill (Northern Ireland) 2012.

Paper that examines change and continuity in policy approaches to supporting lone parent families since 1997. The paper considers whether re-categorizing those lone parents not engaged with the labour market as 'unemployed' reopens old debates about who deserves financial support from the state.

Report that has two broad objectives: to review anti-poverty policies over the course of a century; and to evaluate the results.

It offers a policy-focused narrative, rather than a close inspection of poverty statistics or a detailed assessment of particular anti-poverty programmes. It aims to identify the lessons that can be learnt from more than a century of public policy, with a view to determining how new policies might be
developed to eradicate poverty and reduce income inequality.

A comprehensive presentation of the most relevant evidence available on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and the proposals to replace it with a new benefit, Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

It gathers together existing information and analyses over 500 group responses to the Government’s Response to Disability Living Allowance reform (obtained under FOI request 989).

The report is entirely written, researched, funded and supported by sick and disabled people, who came together through social media to share their experiences, skills and talents.

Report commissioned by the Legal Action Group, and funded by the Baring Foundation, to investigate the impact of the proposed legal aid reforms on disabled people.

Research paper 11/48 published on 8 June 2011 by the House of Commons Library. This is an account of the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill. It complements Research Papers 11/23 and 11/24, prepared for the Commons Second Reading debate.

Discussion paper from the Centre for Welfare Reform first presented at the Tizard Memorial Lecture, 4th March 2011.

Bill No 154 of Session 2010-11. RESEARCH PAPER 11/24 published 7 March 2011. The Welfare Reform Bill provides for the introduction of a “Universal Credit” to replace a range of existing means-tested benefits and tax credits for people of working age, starting from 2013. The Bill follows the November 2010 White Paper, Universal Credit: welfare that works, which set out the Government’s proposals for reforming welfare to improve work incentives, simplify the benefits system and tackle administrative complexity.