Activities per year
Abstract
This paper discusses the implications for the right to a life in dignity of the “activation turn” (Kenworthy) in the welfare state, characterised by the requirement that social security claimants be available for and undertake compulsory activities intended to result in finding employment. Failure to comply may result in loss of benefit for up to three years. This paper argues that while activation of claimants is compatible with human rights law, the UK’s sanctions regime may be vulnerable to challenge. The main focus is on whether a regime Webster claims is designed to result in “complete destitution” can be compatible with human dignity. The key focus is on article 3, article 8 and P1-1 ECHR and their relationship to three elements of the protection of human dignity identified by McCrudden: prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment, individual autonomy and satisfaction of essential needs.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 66-77 |
Journal | European Human Rights Law Review |
Volume | 2015 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Accepted/In press - 16 Dec 2014 |
Keywords
- Dignity
- Welfare reform
- Social security
- European Convention on Human Rights
- Claimant activation
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of '"Designed to reduce people... to complete destitution": human dignity in the active welfare state'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.-
Welfare, work and wellbeing in the 21 st century social security system
Simpson, M. (Invited speaker)
22 Jun 2018Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
File -
Less conditionality, more dignity? An emerging Scottish approach to welfare-to-work
Simpson, M. (Speaker)
27 Jun 2018Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
File -
Building dignity into the social security system
Simpson, M. (Speaker)
10 Jun 2016Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
File
-
Legal protection against destitution in the UK: the case for a right to a subsistence minimum
Simpson, M., McKeever, G. & Fitzpatrick, C., 9 Feb 2023, In: The Modern Law Review. 86, 2, p. 465-497 33 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Citations (Scopus)154 Downloads (Pure) -
Social Citizenship in an Age of Welfare Regionalism: The State of the Social Union
Simpson, M., 30 Jun 2022, Oxford: Hart Publishing. 272 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
-
Destitution and paths to justice
McKeever, G., Simpson, M. & Fitzpatrick, C., 7 Jun 2018, Legal Education Foundation. 95 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile
Prizes
-
Justice and Dignity under Challenge: CCJHR annual conference - Best Paper
Simpson, M. (Recipient), 6 Jun 2014
Prize