Universal simplicity? The alleged simplicity of Universal Credit from administrative and claimant perspectives
Journal of Poverty and Social Justice , Online, 2020
Kate Summers and David Young
Published 10 February 2020
A key aim of Universal Credit is to simplify the social security system. While several aspects of its introduction have received critical attention, this overarching aim continues to receive acceptance and support. Drawing on two empirical studies involving means-tested benefit claimants, we aim to deconstruct the idea of ‘simplicity’ as a feature of social security design and argue that it is contingent on perspective. We suggest that claims of simplicity can often be justified from an administrative perspective but are not experienced as such from the perspective of claimants, who instead can face greater responsibility for managing complexity.
DOI: 10.1332/175982720X15791324318339
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/jpsj/pre-prints/content-jpsjd1900063r1