The influence of the social security system on educational and vocational decision-making at age 16

About this event

This is a hybrid event, with an option to join the seminar in-person at the LSE, or virtually. The speaker will present in-person. Government policy in England states that all post 16 education and training pathways are of equal value. In this seminar, Dr Stephen Brien will argue that the social security system does not, in practice, support this parity. Drawing on new Social Security Advisory Committee research, he examines how benefit design shapes choices at age 16, often discouraging apprenticeships. The research shows that outdated benefit rules can lead to sudden and substantial losses in family income when a young person moves from full time education into an apprenticeship, creating a pronounced “apprenticeship cliff edge” in some cases. These effects are particularly acute for vulnerable groups, including disabled young people, carers, care leavers, and those in single parent households. The findings highlight how financial risk, complexity, and limited access to information can distort decision making and deter vocational pathways. The seminar will also consider international comparisons and argue for reforms to better align social security with the participation framework, enabling young people to make choices based on aptitude and aspiration rather than financial constraints. Dr Stephen Brien was appointed as Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee from 14 September 2020. Stephen is passionate about finding solutions to reduce poverty and improve the lives of the most vulnerable in the UK. From 2017 to 2023, he was Director of Policy at the Legatum Institute. In addition to overseeing the Institute’s policy programmes, his research focused on the socio-economic drivers of prosperity around the world. From 2015 to 2017, Stephen was an advisor to governments in both the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. He has been a Director at Social Finance; and he also advised the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from 2010 to 2013. Prior to joining DWP, Stephen spent 15 years at Oliver Wyman, where he was a Partner, and served a term as the head of its London Office. He is the author of Dynamic Benefits (the blueprint for Universal Credit) and Outcome-based Government.

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