The state of the nations: social security in a devolved UK

Mark Simpson; Mike Brewer; Alex Clegg; Rod Hick; Tom Lee; Sioned Pearce; Ruth Patrick

The state of the nations: social security in a devolved UK

Mark Simpson
, Mike Brewer
, Alex Clegg
, Rod Hick
, Tom Lee
, Sioned Pearce
, Ruth Patrick

Research output: Book/Report › Other report

25 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Devolution and localisation have become increasingly important aspects of social security in the UK since 2012, but the extent of this process and its implications for people who receive benefits are often poorly understood. This report therefore examines the extent, nature, causes and implications of place-based variation in social security for working-age adults and families with dependent children across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is part of the Safety Nets research project — the first systematic, UK-wide study of the devolution and localisation of social security.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Glasgow
Number of pages	84
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - 21 May 2026

Funding

Our work is funded by the Nuffield Foundation, an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance social well-being. It funds research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare and Justice. The Nuffield Foundation is the founder and co-funder of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Ada Lovelace Institute and the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. The Foundation has funded this project, but the views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily the Foundation. Visit www.nuffieldfoundation.org.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1 No Poverty

Keywords

social security
welfare state
devolution
united kingdom
low income

Access to Document

State of the nations Final published version, 2.02 MB

https://safetynets.study/publications/the-state-of-the-nations

Cite this

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title = "The state of the nations: social security in a devolved UK",

abstract = "Devolution and localisation have become increasingly important aspects of social security in the UK since 2012, but the extent of this process and its implications for people who receive benefits are often poorly understood. This report therefore examines the extent, nature, causes and implications of place-based variation in social security for working-age adults and families with dependent children across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is part of the Safety Nets research project — the first systematic, UK-wide study of the devolution and localisation of social security.",

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AU - Lee, Tom

AU - Pearce, Sioned

AU - Patrick, Ruth

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AB - Devolution and localisation have become increasingly important aspects of social security in the UK since 2012, but the extent of this process and its implications for people who receive benefits are often poorly understood. This report therefore examines the extent, nature, causes and implications of place-based variation in social security for working-age adults and families with dependent children across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is part of the Safety Nets research project — the first systematic, UK-wide study of the devolution and localisation of social security.

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KW - welfare state

KW - devolution

KW - united kingdom

KW - low income

UR - https://safetynets.study/

UR - https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/publications/9d219bea-5737-4162-9e4c-89c10f2fb71e

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BT - The state of the nations: social security in a devolved UK

CY - Glasgow

ER -

The state of the nations: social security in a devolved UK

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

The welfare of nations: how does social security differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Social security in a ‘shared space’: policy autonomy and interdependence in the UK

Social security in the four UK countries: who does what and where?

Tackling Poverty Across the United Kingdom. Devolution, Difference and Discourse

Social Security UK: Universal Credit plus, devolution and difference 3

Cite this

The state of the nations: social security in a devolved UK

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Activities

The welfare of nations: how does social security differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Research output

Social security in a ‘shared space’: policy autonomy and interdependence in the UK

Social security in the four UK countries: who does what and where?

Tackling Poverty Across the United Kingdom. Devolution, Difference and Discourse

Projects

Social Security UK: Universal Credit plus, devolution and difference 3

Cite this