The Impact of Welfare Reform in Scotland-Tracking Study (original) (raw)

The aim of the study is to explore the impact of ongoing welfare changes on a range of households in Scotland. The study consists of six interview sweeps over a three year period (2013-16) and is being carried out by the Employment Research Institute at Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Stirling. This report covers findings up to sweep 3. The study uses a longitudinal qualitative methodology to explore participants' perspectives on how welfare reform affects them, and to follow their experiences over time. The study draws on the real life experiences of those in receipt of benefits to provide rich, in-depth insights into the impact of welfare reform. Forty-three individuals took part in Sweep 1 of the study, thirtyfive in Sweep 2, and twenty-eight in Sweep 3. The sample design sought to represent the experiences of benefit recipients across a range of locations and socio-demographic characteristics, including lone parent and low income families, disabled claimants, and those in rural areas. Interviews in Sweep 3 updated the information collected in previous sweeps, and also included an in-depth module of questions about the way in which services, organisations and individuals support those claiming benefits. Issues encountered in dealing with the benefits system When filling in forms, it was not always clear to respondents what information was being sought, and most had felt the need to seek some clarification on this. Respondents applying for disability benefits also reported the difficulty of presenting themselves in a negative light-emphasising everything they could not do-for the purposes of applying for benefits. This negativity undermined their own attempts to be positive and see themselves as capable. Policy implications: Forms should be reviewed by a panel of applicants, in order to test the accessibility of the language, clarity of the requirements, and the appropriateness of the questions. Supporting information should be provided alongside forms, or at least clearly signposted, rather than left to the applicant to obtain for themselves. Some respondents felt that their ESA assessment did not adequately capture the impact of their health condition or disability on their ability to work. In particular, it was felt that the impact of 'hidden' or fluctuating conditions was not adequately understood and captured in the process. For example, whether a person can carry out a particular activity may depend on how their condition is affecting them at that particular time; therefore a simple 'yes or no' question is not an appropriate way to elicit information about the impact of their vi condition. These experiences with ESA meant that respondents were similarly concerned about the ability of the new PIP assessment to capture the impact of their condition on their daily lives. Policy implications: Reflexivity and responsiveness to feedback from claimants regarding the appropriateness of the assessment criteria and process should be built into the disability benefit system. Consideration needs to be given to the suitability of polar questions in capturing the effects of fluctuating conditions. Respondents generally could not understand the need to be subjected to repeat assessments for disability benefits in cases where their situation would not improve. Policy implications: Repeat assessments should be limited only to those whose condition is expected to improve. Even for those in this category, frequency of assessment should be balanced against the cognitive and emotional toll of assessment on respondents. Policy implications: For some people, the ability to raise or escalate issues may not be fully met by local political representatives. Fair and supportive independent advocacy and appeal processes are important. Households on out of work benefits will no longer receive more in welfare payments than the average weekly wage for working households (DWP, 2012a). The cap applies to the combined income from benefits, although some claiming certain benefits are exempt, e.g. certain disability benefits.