The steep rise in unemployment that has hit Britain since the recession is both a personal tragedy for those affected and a national burden on the taxpayer.  Welfare, the provision of support for those in need, is a progressive necessity.  But are there ways of ensuring that welfare is available and generous whilst reducing the liability, and cost, for the state?

The Progressive Conservatism Project is undertaking new research into how Britain can reform unemployment benefits over the long term in order to spread the cost more fairly between individuals, employers and the state.  Building on previous work on personal welfare provision – including work by the project’s Chair David Willetts MP – we will be modeling savings and insurance based solutions and testing public understanding of, and enthusiasm for, welfare reform.

This project will involve consultation with academics, politicians, policy makers and commentators as well as extensive qualitative work with the public and quantitative modeling.

For more information about this project, get in touch with Max Wind-Cowie.

Next Time it’s Personal is being supported by Unum and by Cicero Consulting and will make use of new research from Charles River Associates.