It’s clear to many that the welfare system is stigmatising, punitive and no longer fit for purpose. But how should it be changed? What does a social security system based on solidarity, interdependence and universality look like? This roundtable session brings policy experts, economists and activists together to discuss how we can radically reform the welfare state.
Speakers
Stewart Lansley
Economist
Stewart Lansley is an economist and financial journalist. He is a visiting fellow at the School of Policy Studies, University of Bristol and a fellow at London’s City University. He has written on inequality, wealth and poverty for academic and specialist journals as well as several newspapers.
Gail Ward
Activist
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DPAC
Active disability campaigner with DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) and Black Triangle Campaign for many years. Gail was previously a Trustee at West Northumberland Food Bank/Advocacy based in Hexham where she gained most of her welfare training. She is a regular public speaker at events across the UK against austerity measures.
Anna Dent
Researcher
Independent public policy consultant and RSA fellow focusing on employment, skills and welfare issues. She is currently working on welfare reform and basic income models.
Will Stronge
Think Tank Director
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Autonomy
Will is co-director of Autonomy, a think-tank concerned with the future of work. With Helen Hester, he is the co-author of the forthcoming primer Post-Work: what it is, why it matters and how we get there (Bloomsbury, 2019).
