Expert review of Universal Credit: The panel

Universal Credit represents the most significant transformation of our welfare system, merging six separate in and out of work benefits into one. While the principles of simplification and making work pay are widely supported, questions remain about UC’s ability to deliver on these original intentions. Some of the initial policy choices made about UC, coupled with subsequent revisions over the last few years, have led to concerns that the incentive to get into work and then progress is being blunted. However, much of the current debate on UC relates to IT and implementation challenges rather than these underlying policy choices.

Points of consideration:

1. The scope of benefits that are integrated as part of UC compared to those that have been excluded and how these choices affect work incentives.
2. The financial incentives to enter and progress in work created by UC’s allowances and taper rate and how these interact with tax policy.
3. The design and likely success of in-work conditionality for both employees and the self-employed, given the untested nature of the approach.

Mike Brewer Professor of Economics, University of Essex Paul Gregg Professor of Economic and Social Policy, University of Bath Grainia Long Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Housing Emma Stewart Director, Timewise Foundation Nick Timmins (chair) Public policy expert and historian of the welfare state

Giles Wilkes Economist, former Special Advsior to Vince Cable Ian Mulheirn Director of consulting, Oxford Economics Jim McCormick Scotland Adviser, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Vidhya Alakeson (co chair) Deputy Chief Executive, Resolution Foundation

 

The project will estimate the combined impact of any proposed changes on the likelihood of people moving into and progressing in work. The panel’s final recommendations will be published in early 2015.