UK bank notes

The big challenges facing the benefits system

Published on 10 September 2024

Can the rising costs of benefits be managed and what changes could improve the system?

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We’re looking at the working age benefits system and answering the questions likely being asked by government ministers: how can the rising costs of benefits be managed, and what changes could improve the system?

With disability and incapacity benefit caseloads rising and the Universal Credit rollout still ongoing, what options does the government have to address these challenges? How might frozen housing support and past cuts to working-age benefits be impacting the most vulnerable? Should the government abolish the two-child limit?

To tackle these questions, Paul is joined by Tom Waters and Carl Emmerson.

Zooming In: discussion questions

Every week, we share a set of questions designed for A Level economics students to discuss, written by teacher Will Haines.

1. Identify the most significant facts mentioned by the speakers on government spending on working-age benefits.

2. Explain the potential reasons why number of individuals receiving working-age benefits has increased.

3. Having listened to this episode, identify and justify any potential updates you would make to the current benefits