Welfare Reform: Will Iain Duncan Smith's Benefits Revolution Happen?

The work and pensions secretary has restated his determination to transform Britain's welfare system. But universal credit, his flagship project to streamline benefits into a single payment, is proving a costly logistical nightmare. There is little political argument about the theory of universal credit. All parties agree that a system that simplifies the benefits system, builds in incentives by making work pay and, thereby, again in theory, saves the state money in the long run by changing cultural attitudes, must be good. But where there is argument – even within government – is over the rate of progress, the handling of its implementation by the DWP and Duncan Smith, the soaring costs and, ultimately, the feasibility. It is a vast, complex enterprise, presenting an IT challenge that experts say is nothing short of mind-boggling. Read more on the Observer website.