The Commission on Social Security brings together people who’ve lived on benefits to suggest what a better social welfare system could look like.
What does the Commission on Social Security do?
Social welfare simply isn't working. Poverty is on the rise, and more families are having to turn to food banks to feed their families than ever before.
There are plenty of ideas about how the social security system could be better, but these ideas can be vague or contradictory.
The Commission on Social Security is made up of experts by experience - in other words, people who are, or have been, living on benefits. It aims to bring people together to build consensus around real solutions and specific, practical recommendations. The steering group members come from a diverse range of user-led groups representing people on benefits, Deaf and disabled people.
In January 2022, the Commission published The Plan: for a decent social security system – a blueprint for a new, progressive social security system that is based on respect, dignity and support and – crucially – provides enough money to live on.
Since publishing The Plan, the Commission has hosted a number of events to build support for its proposals, including around how to effectively talk about social security. It is also carrying out research into how the plan would be paid for, as well as its economic benefits.