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Labour positions on social security
Do we know of any resources dealing with Labour’s plans on social security? Their manifesto isn’t out yet.
Liz Kendall says they will keep the pension triple lock.
The BBC report:
Party leader Sir Keir Starmer also set out plans to reform the benefits system, which he hopes will help get two million more people back into work.
The party will aim to increase the employment rate from 75% to 80% if it wins power, partly by bringing together job centres and the careers service.
There would also be greater powers and more funding for mayors to develop localised schemes to improve employment in their areas.
There would be a particular focus on 18-to-21 year-olds, with help guaranteed to get them into work, training or apprenticeships.
With Labour, those who can work, will work
https://x.com/UKLabour/status/1796792415501566376
Today I set out @UKLabour’s back to work plan:
- A new jobs & careers service to help you get work & get on in work
- New health, work & skills plans led by Mayors & local areas
- A new youth guarantee so all young people are earning or learningLet’s get Britain working
Puzzling that this thread is so empty of policy positions given Labour have been in opposition for 14 years and through a period of seismic changes to social security ... and so have had more than ample opportunity to work up some policy positions…on an area of policy that people’s living standards, housing security and health depend so heavily ... odd.
Puzzling that this thread is so empty of policy positions given Labour have been in opposition for 14 years and through a period of seismic changes to social security ... and so have had more than ample opportunity to work up some policy positions…on an area of policy that people’s living standards, housing security and health depend so heavily ... odd.
Another way to do it would just be to adopt CPAG’s ideas:
https://cpag.org.uk/news/universal-credit-three-step-plan
Not Labour, but may be of interest?
Fabian manifesto includes:
- Tackle destitution by reforming universal credit to end the two-child limit, the benefit cap, the five week wait, unfair sanctions and unmanageable repayments.
- Permanently link all annual benefit increases either to the ‘triple local’ or to earnings; also link local housing allowance to local rents.
- Establish a living standards commission to advise the government on minimum income adequacy thresholds, and strategies for fighting poverty, raising living standards and reforming social security.
- Raise benefits to match the level of pension credit for people with a low income who are in their mid-60s and unable to work.
- Clarify the definition of self-employment and improve rights and protections for non-employees.
- Strengthen rights to sick leave, carer’s leave and parenting leave, with the long-term aim of creating earnings-related employment insurance.
- Examine the case for incorporating international social, economic and cultural human rights into domestic law – eg rights to food, shelter, independence for disabled people.
- Consider making ‘carer status’ a protected characteristic under equality law.
- Reform civil legal aid with a focus on advice, early resolution and effective access to justice.
And from the Trussell Trust: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/campaigns/manifesto
Here’s our summary of the welfare rights bits in the Labour Manifesto:
IFS on the potential impact of Labour’s proposed increases in workplace rights and benefits such as sick pay:
https://ifs.org.uk/articles/labours-policies-workers-rights-and-mandated-workplace-benefits
And some reaction on social media:
- Director of Research & Policy IPPR: https://x.com/KumarAshwin/status/1805983400173371611
- Director, Institute for Employment Studies: https://x.com/tonywilsonIES/status/1806055388212535375