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  • Author or Editor: Fran Bennett x
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From October 2013, the UK government is introducing a new ‘super’ means-tested benefit, universal credit, bringing together various payments for those in and out of work. Its main goals are to simplify the benefits system, improve work incentives and combat ‘welfare dependency’. This chapter outlines the main provisions of the proposed scheme and reactions to it. The core of the chapter is an examination of universal credit from a gender perspective, in particular in relation to access to income for individuals in couples. Specific features discussed include the effects on ‘second earners’ and the arrangements for payment. The author argues for ‘welfare reform’ such as this to be analysed in terms of not only the numbers of men and women affected in terms of resources, but also what impact it may have on gender roles and relationships; the potential for individuals to achieve financial autonomy; and gender inequalities within the household, both immediately and in the longer term.

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A recent government proposal to increase national insurance contributions for the self-employed in the UK, in return for improved pensions and potentially also parental benefits, was immediately reversed. This article analyses the reasons behind this about-turn, linking them to tensions between the goals of thwarting ‘bogus’ self-employment and increasing tax revenues versus commitment to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare economy. The analysis is set in the context of the singularity of the UK system in relation to much social protection in continental Europe, and wider debates about the roles of individual, state and labour market in providing security.

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Universal Credit is a fundamental reform of the UK’s social security system. It is also seen as embodying a traditional view of the family. Drawing on principles for gender analysis of ‘welfare reform’, this article critically examines how couples claiming Universal Credit are conceptualised by the UK government, in relation to equality impact assessments of the proposals; guidance for, and data and studies about, claimants; policy debates; and research by or for government. It demonstrates a failure to interrogate the concept of the unitary household or the two-way influence of gender roles, relationships and inequalities within couples and ‘welfare reform’.

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Parliamentary Questions is a selection of written questions from MPs to government ministers in the House of Commons. The answers from ministers highlighted in this section focus on social security, tax credits and poverty matters that may be of general interest to readers. Published in daily and weekly editions of Hansard, questions and answers across a range of issues can also now be found online at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/hansrd.htm

In addition to written parliamentary questions, Hansard also covers oral answers from the ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions and other departments on a regular basis. Recently ministers also started making written ministerial statements. These are printed just before the written answers in Hansard, and often cover announcements of substantive policy changes, the publication of reports etc.

Because of the availability of parliamentary answers on the website, only a few significant answers are now reproduced in full in Benefits. Other important answers are listed below, in chronological order, within each topic. (Please note that this is not a complete list of parliamentary answers on social security benefits etc., but only those which the contributor thinks fairly important and/or interesting within the limits of space.)

The answers below cover the period from early June to late October 2004. Some questions may have been addressed to the Treasury rather than to the Department for Work and Pensions.

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