Ellie Roberts Senior Researcher
Tipping the Balance April 2014
Jun 07, 2015
A qualitative study on the cumulative impacts of welfare reform in the London Borough of Newham
By Ellie Roberts and Luke Price
Government flagship proposals for Welfare Reform: simpler, fairer, making work pay, have a significant impact on the people Community Links work alongside in east London.
Community Links undertook a programme of research to understand the real effects of these changes to people’s lives – not just financially but also on employment opportunities, family life, their health, wellbeing and resilience. It is vital to fully evaluate the implementation of welfare reform on the individuals and communities most affected. Tipping the Balance? our investigation into the cumulative impacts of welfare reform, draws a vivid picture of how hard life has become for many local people as a result of the changes.
This report makes a series of practicable recommendations towards providing better support for people facing multiple disadvantages within a welfare system that is fairer and more effective.
By Ellie Roberts and Luke Price
Government flagship proposals for Welfare Reform: simpler, fairer, making work pay, have a significant impact on the people Community Links work alongside in east London.
Community Links undertook a programme of research to understand the real effects of these changes to people’s lives – not just financially but also on employment opportunities, family life, their health, wellbeing and resilience. It is vital to fully evaluate the implementation of welfare reform on the individuals and communities most affected. Tipping the Balance? our investigation into the cumulative impacts of welfare reform, draws a vivid picture of how hard life has become for many local people as a result of the changes.
This report makes a series of practicable recommendations towards providing better support for people facing multiple disadvantages within a welfare system that is fairer and more effective.
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Transcript
Ellie Roberts Senior Researcher
Introduction to the research
Community Links welcomes reform of the welfare system - we believe it should be simpler, fairer and support people to escape poverty through work.
However, we anticipated that welfare reform would bring a unique set of challenges and barriers…
So, we decided to undertake some qualitative research to better understand the impacts.
Methodology
Sixteen qualitative interviews with local people impacted by reforms.
Four focus groups with Community Links employment and advice staff
Five qualitative interviews with local policy makers, advice staff and other stakeholders
Document review
Key findings – welfare reform has had a significant impact
Changing spending habits Direct impacts on health and wellbeing Worrying impacts on families and childrenChanges to housing were rarerIn most cases the reforms had not increased
the attractiveness of employment
Key findings – three main reasons for undermined resilience
1. Cumulative financial impact was significant and in some cases unmanageable and overwhelming
2. Poor communication of the reforms which has resulted in a worrying lack of understanding
3. Inadequate support and perceived lack of compassion
“I’m watching that electric meter like a clock. Constantly opening the cupboard and looking for food that’s not there.”
“Nobody ever really sits you down and tells you what is going on.”
“There’s been no help. There’s been no support. Every time I ask for help I come up against a brick wall.”
Key findings – need for early action and more nuanced approach
Need for a more nuanced approach to implementing and communicating all current and future reforms
Essential that increased support is focused on the least resilient people, and that communications are personalised, especially for those who find it hardest to engage
Case Study 1 – Michelle and the cumulative impact
Case study 2 – Aziza reaches crisis point
Case study 3 – Shanti moves into work
Recommendations
Standardised, coherent communicationsMore easy to access supportGreater discretion and a tailored approachContinued collaborative support from the third
sector
Community Links
www.community-links.org
@comm_links
#welfarereform
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