UK benefits system - what would you change?

[Galactico]

Just a bit of curiosity, really.

Many people agree that the benefits system isn’t fit for purpose now. Whether that be because they feel it’s too easy to get them and so there’s a lack of incentive to work for some people, or because people are subject to degrading assessments and the constant threat of being sanctioned/removed.

Any opinions?

A universal basic income is the way forward.

Agree with @Summerhillsquare

I agree, universal income with top ups for people with disabilities.

I would increase statutory sick pay for full time workers who aren’t entitled to any other benefits .

By universal income, do you mean one for absolutely everyone regardless of circumstances, or everyone earning under a certain amount?

I agree with this

Universal, for all. You back it up with other policies of course: get rid of the income tax free band, introduce gentler tax tapers to encourage earning whatever is possible, turn Job Centres back into genuine places of help with job hunting or setting up in business...

Basically moving from a punitive system to an enabling one.

How much would the basic income be, and what would happen if lots of people just decided to take that and not work or pay tax?

I'm with @Summerhillsquare as well. All the trials of universal income have shown that people don't just all take the money and so nothing. It's not a realistic concern. The shift to enabling rather than punitive is so important.

Definitely need better maternity pay. It's proper shit.

Thanks @rosesinthehospital and love the username 💖

Lone parents get less UC than couple parents on the same income despite the fact that their outgoings are possibly greater (or at least not significantly lower) and (assuming no disabilities etc) couples have more potential to increase their income. This was not the case with tax credits and it's designed to be punitive. It needs to be reversed so that a household is a household when it comes to the basic allowances.

Carers allowance. Family caring for disabled and elderly relatives saves the government a fortune, and they deserve more than the crappy 60 odd pound a week for full time job hours.

It's very expensive to keep people poor. Poor people are stressed, get and stay sick, can't care for themselves or others...ending up in massive health, social care and criminal justice costs. Much cheaper to enable people to live well to begin with. £1500 a month I reckon. As Roses says, most people get on with caring, or creating, or starting something new, when they see that it's less risky to do so.

Carers allowance is an absolute insult. It should be minimum wage at the very least.

Universal basic income for the reasons that have been stated

Most innovators and inventors are rich, because its easier to risk failing if you have a safety net.

Imagine how many innovations and inventions we have lost out from by keeping large swathes of the population too close to poverty to take a risk, or in poverty.

Financial security benefits everyone.

I would have the benefits for under 25s the same as over 25s as it's discriminatory for younger adults. Why should a 20 year old who has 2 kids and working get less than a single 28 year old still living at their parents house?

I would also taper benefits more as it can never be fair that someone earned £10 more this week and loose free dentistry, free school meals and other benefits which cost far more than their increase in salary.

Universal Basic Income for all.

Controversial
But I'd make it worth working for people
Too many people are too comfortable on benefits and not motivated to work (I'm taking about lazy perfectly ok to work people not poorly or disabled)

I know people on benefits better off than my and DP working and that isn't right

And don't even get me started on these cost of living payments what about people who work and contribute and don't earn a huge amount but too much to claim any help with huge bills???

For so many to be suggesting universal basic income, which country has successfully implemented this? Based on a quick Google search I couldn't see any examples.

Lots already choose not to work in the U.K., wouldn't these numbers increase further and the population become more unproductive than it currently is?

Sad that this is controversial

The past is full of innovators and risk takers long before the benefit system. Financial security is always great and encourages risk-taking for the good of people, but I disagree that it's always necessary based on the fact we are here in 2022 with the advances in everything we have thanks to the innovators of the past who had no such safety net.

Desperation plus big faith in what you have to offer is a big player in moving forward. Sometimes, when you have a great idea and nothing to lose, it can provide the drive you need to move forward!

The more you have to lose, the less are willing to gamble.

I’d improve the childcare support - both in terms of the actual monetary support and in the processes for claiming it.

Increase tax allowance a bit more. Allot child tax allowance to parents tax code. So you get to earn more money before you pay tax.

Deal with the rents issue first though. Reduce rents and House prices else you may as well not bother.

Encourage industry that will be productive and positive.

Children from high-income families (belonging to the top percentile) are ten times as likely to become inventors as those from below-median families

Inventors in the past often had wealth patrons.