Conservative Party Conference - From welfare to work: the Conservative vision for welfare reform

Panellists: 

• Helen Whately MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
• Fraser Nelson, Columnist for The Times 
• Rachel Wolf, Founding Partner at Public First. 

Re:State is delighted to host a panel event at Conservative Party Conference. Please join us in person outside the Secure Zone (approximately a 7-minute walk from Manchester Central) Lecture Room, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley St, Manchester, M2 3JL. You do not need a pass to attend. 

Britain’s welfare system is in urgent need of reform. Too many people are trapped on benefits for years, while businesses face chronic labour shortages and taxpayers shoulder the growing cost. Welfare should be a springboard into work, not a long-term destination, yet sadly it has become so for many young people.   

In Government the Conservative Party oversaw radical reforms to welfare, such as Universal Credit. But following the Covid-19 pandemic and much higher rates of economic inactivity, accompanied by worryingly high levels of claims from young people, the party needs a new vision for the welfare state. The fiscal and economic realities of the 2020s demand nothing less than a radical new approach by all parties.    

A Conservative vision for welfare reform is built on the belief that everyone who can work should work. That means redesigning the system to remove disincentives, strengthen requirements, and ensure swift support for those in genuine need. And it means tackling the root causes of worklessness – from poor health to weak local economies, so that communities across the UK can share in the benefits of growth. 

Re:State is delighted to welcome Helen Whately MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; Fraser Nelson, Columnist for The Times; and Rachel Wolf, Founding Partner at Public First to share their perspective on building a welfare system that supports people into work. 

This panel event will be held in-person.