@drbenpaxton.bsky.social
Senior Researcher at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social. Views my own.
@amberdellar.bsky.socialReposted by @drbenpaxton.bsky.socialNEW: Plans to reduce EHCPs look optimistic and Burnham's public service reforms still need a plan for schools
In our first IfG Performance Tracker chapter, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, we look at how the government is performing on its schools agenda [1/9]
@benzaranko.bsky.socialReposted by @drbenpaxton.bsky.socialQuite an enjoyable juxtaposition on the FT app, with an article from @chrisgiles.ft.com describing £ billion estimates of fiscal headroom as an "unhelpful invention" next to an article from his colleagues leading on a £ billion estimate of the Chancellor's fiscal headroom.
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialWe explored the interconnectedness of the health and disability benefits system in our recent report on how government should approach future reform www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialAnd even if Milburn ends up focusing on UC health rather than PIP, you can't really change them in isolation. Reducing UC health would likely increase PIP claimant numbers, and the government is planning to combine the Work Capability Assessment for UC health with the PIP assessment (TBC how)
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialFor example, Timms' emerging recommendations include changing PIP assessments and the PIP award including non-cash support. This directly interacts with looking at replacing PIP and/or UC health with a wider package of support for (some?) young people. This should be lined up
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialI'm torn on this. A NEETs review making recommendations on PIP and UC health really should be aligned with the PIP review - so if this delay is to ensure the Timms and Milburn review align, then great. But if this is just more can-kicking, then that's really not good www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialAnd links here to the Resolution Foundation analysis estimating that scrapping employer NICs for u25s would cost £137k for every job created: www.resolutionfoundation.org/app/uploads/...
and government evaluation of NICs changes:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialA broader point is that tax reliefs like lower NICs for young people cost government money. These targeted, non-structural reliefs really should be weighed up against expenditure at spending reviews
As we recommended back in 2024
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialIts unclear that halving 21-24 y/o employer NICs is better value for money than more targeted interventions. The government evaluation of 18-21 y/o NICs exemptions found limited impact on employers and substantial deadweight. RF analysis finds huge costs per job created www.ft.com/content/aae1...
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.socialReposted by @drbenpaxton.bsky.socialNEW: Burnham made a strong case for adult social care reform at conference, but pushed the National Care Service into next parliament
I argue he should get on with it, use his majority and 2024 mandate and establish the NCS in this parliament 👇
@instituteforgovernment.org.ukReposted by @drbenpaxton.bsky.socialWe will then ask: How can Labour build an affordable welfare system that supports sick and disabled people? Our panel features @meghillier.bsky.social, Alan Milburn, @drbenpaxton.bsky.social @katesummers.bsky.social and chair @tompope.bsky.social
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialThe health and disability benefits system for all working-age adults whose health limits their ability to work needs reform. More on how politicians should go about delivering it in our report published today www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialInteresting pre-conference interview. Agree on the health and disability benefits system becoming more personalised (e.g by age), but somewhat sceptical about a separate system for young people when many similar issues exist for the ~90% of claimants who are over 24 www.ft.com/content/5337...
@hcdunlop.bsky.socialReposted by @drbenpaxton.bsky.socialOur report has looked at how to reform health and disability benefits in the round - from the political leadership it takes, the join-up necessary for implementation, the gaps in evidence, and how the assessment process and approach to cost control needs to change for success. A lot to dig into...
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialWith huge thanks to co-authors: @hcdunlop.bsky.social @martha-ford.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social
You can read the report here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
And/or hear me discussing it on our podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/2Mtl...
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialAll this takes political will. To make substantial progress on this, ministers need to lead public opinion – not be at the mercy of it. This means better defining what outcomes the health and disability benefits system is trying to achieve for different groups – and how support provided matches that
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialAnd ministers need to make the case for better experimentation and use of evidence. Future social security legislation should give government flexibility to do this, and DWP should more clearly set out the evidence needed to inform more accurate modelling and better future policy decisions
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialSocial security should be reviewed at spending reviews (see below for how). Leaving out >£300bn from the process designed to improve value for money doesn’t make sense. The welfare cap (the fiscal rule you may have never heard of) should be abolished, or reformed
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialA reformed assessment process (+criteria) should reviewed regularly to ensure it's working as intended. DWP should also bring the currently outsourced assessments back in-house to enable more flexibility in delivery
@drbenpaxton.bsky.socialWe think government should reform the health and disability benefits assessment process to better personalise support. We propose assessments creating a personalised support plan – which sets out benefit entitlement alongside a broader range of support (e.g. employment support)