Social security (welfare benefits) – UK Government assessment

Progress assessment

No progress

There have been no legal or policy changes to improve human rights protections in relation to this issue, and very limited evidence of progress in the enjoyment of these rights

Several permanent welfare reforms introduced by the UK Government, including the two-child limit, have adversely affected the enjoyment of human rights, in particular for women, disabled people, ethnic minority people and lone parents. Assessment and decision-making processes about benefit entitlement have been found to disadvantage disabled people. However, the Government introduced several temporary positive measures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that have played a critical role in limiting job and income losses to date.

Read more about the UK Government’s actions on social security (welfare benefits).

The assessment was made based on the evidence available up to 12/07/2021