If the social-security system were a building, what would it look like? It would contain a few period features built during post-Second World War reconstruction. But these would be dwarfed by a vast set of extensions that have been added over the decades by governments eager to redesign the system but unwilling to completely demolish the old structure and start from scratch. The building would certainly be confusing to navigate and appear glaringly outdated in places.
The introduction of universal credit (UC) represents a major rebuild of this unwieldy structure. By tearing down six of the largest benefits and replacing them with a single monthly payment, the government hopes to simplify the social-security system and ‘make work pay’. This article provides an update on the progress of this ambitious reconstruction project and examines whether it is likely to achieve its stated aims or if it risks building a structure that is less effective in providing financial shelter to vulnerable groups.
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