Universal simplicity? The alleged simplicity of Universal Credit from administrative and claimant perspectives

Summers, Kate ORCID: 0000-0001-9964-0259 and Young, David (2020) Universal simplicity? The alleged simplicity of Universal Credit from administrative and claimant perspectives. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 28 (2). 169 - 186. ISSN 1759-8273

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Abstract

A key aim of Universal Credit is to simplify the social security system. While several aspects of its introduction have received critical attention, this overarching aim continues to receive acceptance and support. Drawing on two empirical studies involving means-tested benefit claimants, we aim to deconstruct the idea of ‘simplicity’ as a feature of social security design and argue that it is contingent on perspective. We suggest that claims of simplicity can often be justified from an administrative perspective but are not experienced as such from the perspective of claimants, who instead can face greater responsibility for managing complexity.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/jpsj
Additional Information:	© 2020 Policy Press
Divisions:	Methodology Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion Social Policy
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HJ Public Finance
Date Deposited:	08 Jun 2020 09:30
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2024 02:12
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/105032

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