Inside Welfare Reform
How well has the government implemented its controversial welfare reforms? Have they been a vital check to a system spiralling out of control or, as some say, close to a fiasco?
Economist Jonathan Portes assesses how well the government has implemented its controversial welfare reforms. The government describes the programme as "the most ambitious, fundamental and radical changes to the welfare system since it began".
When the Coalition came to power in 2010, welfare - not including pensions - was costing the country nearly 拢100 billion a year. Iain Duncan Smith, the secretary of state for work and pensions, was given the task of making work pay and - in so doing - taking millions of people off benefit and saving the country billions.
Influential figures from parliament, the civil service and one of Iain Duncan Smith's closest advisers offer revealing accounts of what's been happening during those past 4 years.
Economist Jonathan Portes asks whether these changes are a vital strategy to stem a welfare system spiralling out of control or - as some argue - nothing short of a fiasco, which has caused genuine hardship?
Producer: Adele Armstrong.
Last on
![]()
Meet the Family
Politicians love talking about families, but do they understand modern family life?
![]()
Tories: Nasty or Nice?
Robin Aitken explores why the Tories have struggled with the label of 'the nasty party'.
![]()
Poverty vs Inequality
Economic historian Deirdre McCloskey on why poverty matters more than inequality
Broadcasts
- Mon 27 Oct 2014 20:30大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 2 Nov 2014 21:30大象传媒 Radio 4
Featured in...
![]()
The Best of Analysis: British Politics—Analysis, Inside Welfare Reform
A collection of Analysis programmes exploring British politics.
Podcast
-
![]()
Analysis
Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad.
