A different Social Security
A different social security
The team
Research by Dr Michael Orton from the Warwick Institute for Employment Research (IER) at the University of Warwick, received funding from Trust for London (TFL) to produce a report. The project subsequently received support from the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) to translate the findings into an accessible web resource.
The challenge
Research into the UK's social security system has highlighted the failure of this system and the lack of consensus on how to improve it.
Research has revealed that benefit claimants, who are not only economically disadvantaged but disproportionately likely to be disabled, are invariably not included in debate and therefore denied a voice in matters of fundamental importance to their lives.
Our approach
Trust for London (TFL) Report
TFL provided funding for Dr Orton to produce a Green Paper style report. This report set out ideas for a better welfare benefits system and was translated into ‘Easy Read’ English and the languages used by the community. This was launched at an online event with live subtitling and BSL provided.
The Resource
Funding from the IAA allowed the team to translate the TFL Report into an accessible and interactive web resource and a short promotional video with BSL, audio and subtitles, accompanied by graphics for social media. These resources aimed to engage benefits claimants and non-academic groups in the shaping of a fairer social security system.
Meeting changemakers
The project also resulted in an important dialogue with those who had the influence to make the much-needed changes. Dr Orton held a meeting with the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and his advisers and delivered a presentation to a forum of Chief Executives and senior leaders from over 20 anti-poverty organisations. A private Chatham House Rule meeting was organised by a statutory agency with attendees including several senior civil servants.
Our Impact
The long-term goal of the research is to achieve legislative change so that the social security system is fairer and responds to the needs of all users.
An analysis of the demographic of visitors to the web resource revealed that 97% were from ‘non-academic’ categories, and 44% were benefit claimants, demonstrating a strong engagement with the target audience.
The project allowed targeted work with three groups: one from an area of multiple deprivation in Northeast England; one in the Bangladeshi community in East London (with resources translated into appropriate community languages) and a disabled people’s group for those with energy limiting chronic illness. These groups all reported strong positive feedback, with the opportunity to be able to make comments on proposed changes to the benefits system particularly welcome.
It was found that supporting local groups to work in ways that most suited their users generated some useful learning. One group utilised its community researcher network while another set up a gazebo on a social housing estate. This ‘enabling not doing’ approach is one that has considerable potential for further ongoing impact.
The changemaker networks have also continued to develop. In the Summer of 2022, Dr Orton was invited to meet with the Scottish Government Minister for Social Security and Local Government.