Edinburgh Napier University

  The Impacts of Welfare Reform in Scotland Funding: Scottish Government
Duration: 2013-2016
Research Team: Dr Helen Graham, Dr Valerie Egdell, Professor Robert Raeside and Professor Ronald McQuaid (University of Stirling)
Description: The aim of the study is to explore the impacts of ongoing changes to the welfare system on a range of households in Scotland over time. The project is being carried out by the Employment Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Stirling on behalf of the Scottish Government. In-depth interviews will be held with participants twice a year over a three year period to identify and unpack their experiences of welfare changes. The welfare changes explored are include changes to unemployment, disability and housing benefits, as well as wider reforms such as the replacement of many working age benefits with Universal Credit.

The study will help to increase our understanding of the impacts of the welfare changes in Scotland, and will help the Scottish Government in making decisions related to those areas within its responsibility.

Three rounds of interviews have been carried out to date. The latest report from the study (available here) considers the ongoing impacts of welfare reform, as well as participants' experiences of seeking help and advice with benefits issues.

For more information on the study please contact Dr Helen Graham.