Non-partisan Commission on Social Security Reform launched by think tank to support post-Covid-19 economic recovery and strengthen UK’s safety net

Bright Blue think tank warns that ‘deep and disproportionate' cuts to working-age benefits in response to the economic crisis of the late 2000s 'cannot happen again' as we come out of pandemic

The Bright Blue think tank has announced the launch of a post-Covid-19 non-partisan Commission on Social Security Reform.

Describing itself as ‘the independent think tank for liberal conservatism’, Bright Blue says the new Commission will -

• examine the effectiveness of welfare reforms introduced during the early stages of the Covid pandemic;
• consider which principles and approaches should guide future policies on social security; and
• develop a policy programme supported by the public and policymakers from across the political spectrum that will 'support the post-Covid-19 economic recovery and strengthen the UK’s safety net in the long-term.'

Highlighting the cross-party and cross-sector make-up of the Commission, Bright Blue lists its members, that include -

• Baroness Lister, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, Loughborough University
• Shaun Bailey MP, Work and Pensions Committee member
• Jack Monroe, award-winning writer and campaigner
• Anela Anwar, Chief Executive, Z2K Trust
• Chi Kavindele, Director, Community Links
• Anjum Klair, Trades Union Congress
• Duncan Shrubsole, Director of Policy, Partnerships and Communications, Lloyds Bank Foundation
• Manny Hothi, Director of Policy, Trust for London
• Deven Ghelani, Policy in Practice
• Stephen Crabb MP, former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Commenting on taking up her place on the Commission today, Baroness Lister says -

‘The pandemic has exposed and aggravated the extent of economic insecurity in our society as well as the cracks in the social security system, which mean that it is failing to provide genuine security. The establishment of this non-partisan, independent commission is thus both timely and welcome and I’m delighted to join it.’

While the chief executive of Bright Blue Ryan Shorthouse, who is also part of Commission, says -

‘After the last economic crisis in the late 2000s, those claiming working-aged benefits experienced deep and disproportionate cuts to their incomes as the government repaired the public finances. 

That can’t happen again. The pandemic has proven that almost all of us can fall on hard times because of random, unpredictable events. A strong social security system is a necessary part of a liberal society and market-based economy because of the level of risks that quite rightly exist - indeed, a popular and effective welfare system is needed to maintain participation in and support for our socio-economic system.’

For more information, alongside details of new research into the impact of Covid on housing costs benefit claims that is also published today, see the Bright Blue website.