A qualitative study on the cumulative impacts of welfare reform in the London Borough of Newham By Ellie Roberts and Luke Price Government flagship proposals for Welfare Reform: simpler, fairer, making work pay, have a significant impact on the people Community Links work alongside in east London. Community Links undertook a programme of research to understand the real effects of these changes to people’s lives – not just financially but also on employment opportunities, family life, their health, wellbeing and resilience. It is vital to fully evaluate the implementation of welfare reform on the individuals and communities most affected. Tipping the Balance? our investigation into the cumulative impacts of welfare reform, draws a vivid picture of how hard life has become for many local people as a result of the changes. This report makes a series of practicable recommendations towards providing better support for people facing multiple disadvantages within a welfare system that is fairer and more effective.

1. Ellie Roberts
Senior Researcher

2. Introduction to the research
Community Links welcomes reform of the welfare
system - we believe it should be simpler, fairer and
support people to escape poverty through work.
However, we anticipated that welfare reform would
bring a unique set of challenges and barriers…
So, we decided to undertake some qualitative
research to better understand the impacts.

3. Methodology
Sixteen qualitative interviews with local people
impacted by reforms.
Four focus groups with Community Links
employment and advice staff
Five qualitative interviews with local policy makers,
advice staff and other stakeholders
Document review

4. Key findings – welfare reform
has had a significant impact
Changing spending habits
Direct impacts on health and wellbeing
Worrying impacts on families and children
Changes to housing were rarer
In most cases the reforms had not increased
the attractiveness of employment

5. Key findings – three main
reasons for undermined resilience
1. Cumulative financial impact
was significant and in some
cases unmanageable and
overwhelming
2. Poor communication of the
reforms which has resulted in
a worrying lack of
understanding
3. Inadequate support and
perceived lack of compassion
 “I’m watching that electric meter
like a clock. Constantly opening
the cupboard and looking for
food that’s not there.”
 “Nobody ever really sits you
down and tells you what is
going on.”
 “There’s been no help. There’s
been no support. Every time I
ask for help I come up against a
brick wall.”

6. Key findings – need for early action
and more nuanced approach
 Need for a more nuanced approach to implementing and
communicating all current and future reforms
 Essential that increased support is focused on the least resilient
people, and that communications are personalised, especially
for those who find it hardest to engage

7. Case Study 1 – Michelle and the cumulative impact

8. Case study 2 – Aziza reaches crisis point

9. Case study 3 – Shanti moves into work

10. Recommendations
Standardised, coherent communications
More easy to access support
Greater discretion and a tailored approach
Continued collaborative support from the third
sector

11. Community Links
www.community-links.org
@comm_links
#welfarereform