Benefits Cap: A Lack of Jobs Undermines Benefits of Welfare Reform

The benefits cap means some people may be motivated to find work – but finding a job in the first place is the problem. The benefits cap is a media-friendly, simple-sounding policy, which translates into a rather complicated set of rules and exemptions. The impact of the changes is uncertain. Many households will simply become poorer, at least in the short term. Some families are likely to move into over-crowded housing, move areas or become homeless. Over-crowding and homelessness have well-known impacts on health, education and work. Read more on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website.