This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the debate due to take place on 1 November 2018 in the House of Lords on the motion moved by Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour) that “this House takes note of the impact on family life of multiple reductions in welfare benefits, universal credit, tax credits, housing benefits and child benefit”.
Welfare Changes: Impact on Family Life (226 KB , PDF)
There have been a series of reforms to the UK’s social security system in recent years, while spending on welfare has fallen as a share of national income. Key changes include the introduction of the benefit cap; the ‘under-occupancy charge’ or ‘bedroom tax’; the high-income child benefit tax charge; a two-child limit for tax credits and the tax credit elements of universal credit; removal of the ‘family element’ in child tax credits and universal credit for new claimants; a four-year freeze to working-age benefits between 2016/17 and 2019/20; and a reduction in the universal credit work allowance.
Reports and analyses have attempted to quantify the financial impact of these changes on households, including identifying categories of claimants whose awards have either fallen or risen as a result of the changes. The observed or forecast financial impact of the changes on families varies widely, depending on the actual or hypothetical circumstances used in calculations. However, most analyses appear to have concluded that overall universal credit—the Government’s flagship welfare reform—is less generous than the benefits it is replacing. This reduction in generosity, they argue, has clear financial implications for some households. However, secondary effects may result from the reduction in household income experienced by some families, including in relation to health and wellbeing, and the educational attainment and life chances of children.
This briefing provides background information on the welfare benefits named in the motion to be debated on 1 November, before providing an overview of key benefit policy changes. It then summarises reports examining the financial impact of these policy changes on households, before summarising academic research on the noted effects of low income on both adults and children. A synopsis of contributions made during a recent House of Commons debate on universal credit is provided, before the briefing concludes with a selection of further reading on this complex and contested issue.
Welfare Changes: Impact on Family Life (226 KB , PDF)
On 9 March, the Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025 took place to mark five years since the start of the pandemic in the UK. This briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate in the House of Lords focused on the support available to those bereaved because of Covid-19. It outlines the help available for families and sets out background information on the Covid-19 Day of Reflection, as well as the UK Covid-19 inquiry.
On 6 March 2025, the House of Lords is scheduled to hold a debate marking International Women’s Day focused on the steps being taken to promote women’s participation and leadership in science and technology. The motion for the debate is sponsored by Baroness Gustafsson, the government minister for investment. This briefing provides an overview of data and research in this area, as well as information on government policy.
The Post Office introduced the Horizon computer system into branches from 1999. The system, used for accounting and stock-taking, inaccurately recorded losses and money missing in branches. The Post Office has identified 700 convictions in cases it prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 in which Horizon evidence may have featured. Compensation schemes have been established by the Post Office and the Department for Business and Trade. However, progress in making payments has been criticised for being too slow.
