How does Universal Credit effect poverty rates and women?
28 February 2020
The Economic Affairs Committee holds its second evidence session on the economics of Universal Credit inquiry. In this session, the Committee explores the effect of Universal Credit on poverty rates in the UK and how it has affected women.
- Parliament TV - The economics of Universal Credit
- Inquiry - The economics of Universal Credit
- Economic Affairs Committee
Witnesses
Tuesday 3 March in Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster
At 3.35pm
- Josephine Tucker, Head of Policy and Research at the Child Poverty Action Group
- Garry Lemon, Director of Policy, External Affairs and Research, at the Trussell Trust
- Iain Porter, Social Security Policy and Partnerships Manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Dr Matthew Sowemimo, Head of Public Affairs and Social Policy at The Salvation Army
At 4.35pm
- Marilyn Howard, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Bristol Law School and member of the Women's Budget Group
- Laura Dewar Policy Officer at Gingerbread
- Rita Griffiths, Research Fellow at the University of Bath
Likely questions
- Does Universal Credit alleviate or exacerbate poverty rates? If so, why?
- Are there other policy areas that could be reformed to reduce overall spending on social security?
- In what ways does poverty affect people's physical and mental health?
- How have different groups of women been affected by the roll-out of Universal Credit?
- Does the design of Universal Credit hinder certain groups of women from entering and/or progressing in the labour market?
- What challenges do couples with children face, and what challenges do single parents face, when claiming Universal Credit?
- What examples are there of welfare systems from other countries that have provided better social security for women?