Base Universal Credit on reality not myths

Social security is the safety net created by our country to help us all stay safe and well throughout our lives, from childhood to pensions. So you might expect Universal Credit to be a calculation, carefully worked out to cover the things people need to live.

In reality, the amounts were plucked from thin air in the 1940s, and the Government hasn't checked if social security is enough to live on since the 1960s (and they kept those results secret!).

Over the years, changes in Universal Credit, PIP and pensions have been dictated by politicians, and influenced by who holds power. This unscientific approach has left social security behind rising costs.

Disabled people tell us they have to choose between meeting the extra costs of disability, such as equipment or assistance, and paying for essentials, like rent or food.

Research from Trussel Trust found that 69% of people needing their support at food banks were Disabled. Many Disabled people are finding it impossible to make ends meet.

Social security should be based on reality

It’s time for a new approach, where social security is worked out carefully to cover basics and the extra costs of being Disabled, making sure people can live well.

That’s why the Campaign for Disability Justice and Disability Benefits Consortium gave evidence to the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) on Ending the Need for Food Banks.

We reminded MPs from across political parties that they have a responsibility to make sure everyone can have a home, work if they can, eat nutritiously, and get the support they need to live, whatever their circumstances.

Our recommendations

The Campaign for Disability Justice spoke alongside Joseph Rowntree Foundation, End Child Poverty Coalition and StepChange. Together we said:

• Everyone in the UK - Disabled people and non-Disabled people - should have enough to live on, so everyone can eat, have somewhere to live, and live safely.

• The Government should check that social security is enough for people to live on by commissioning research from an independent group, and keeping it up to date.

• Coproduction and inclusion are essential. Disabled people should shape the work of the independent group, and the group should talk to Disabled people and others who access social security about how any research should be run.

What we can learn from other countries and UK history

People at the meeting talked about countries that link social security to how much things actually cost – like New Zealand and Sweden. We need to do that too.

The UK has a long history of using evidence to make good decisions – in the 90s the Government created the Low Pay Commission to help set the minimum wage, and still uses similar groups for teachers, police and the NHS.

These examples show that it is possible to take a new approach. We’ll carry on the work and keep pressure on the Government to help make that happens.