Spending it wisely: should the State have a greater say over how people spend its money?
- When:
- 1st October 2012, 07:00PM
- Where:
- Room 1, Premier Inn, Manchester CENTRAL (M2 3DW)
The Government, in trying to promote individual responsibility and choice of services, is increasing the use of direct payments in a wider range of services - from health and social care to children's services and housing. As a result, financial transfers from the state to the individual are becoming more common in lieu of services. At the same time, welfare reform will see the Universal Credit combine six benefit streams into a single, transparent payment designed to give families greater clarity regarding their benefit income.
With both benefits and direct payments for services as cash transfers from the state to the individual based on eligibility for financial support, it posits various questions – should these payments be seen differently by the state and the public receiving them? And should the Government apply the same level of monitoring and control over Universal Credit as it does over direct payments?
This event will serve as a preview of new Demos polling data on the public's attitudes to welfare and personal financial responsibility. The aim is to explore what the boundaries of state control over the spending of benefits ought to be, what approaches are most likely to be effective in promoting better financial behaviour and what limits ought to be applied to financial freedom for individuals in receipt of state money.
Speakers will include:
- Debbie Abrahams MP, Shadow Health Minister, Member of Work and Pensions Select Committee
- Alison Garnham, Chief Executive, Child Poverty Action Group
- Matthew Mayo, Head of Business Development, UK & Ireland, Mastercard
- Claudia Wood, Deputy Director, Demos
This event will take place on Monday 1st October at 19:00-20.30 in Room 1, Premier Inn, Manchester CENTRAL (M2 3DW).
Follow this event on Twitter with #demoswelfare
For more information please email partyconference@demos.co.uk
This event is part of a Demos research project The Power of Prepaid and is supported by Mastercard.