Welfare state

Fraser Institute News Release: Denmark's economic prosperity rooted in tradition of low taxes, limited government and open trade

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Unemployment, Welfare state, Tax, History, OECD, Public policy, Fraser Institute, Government, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, United Kingdom, Free market, Fraser, Renewable energy, Socialism

For more than 150 years, Danes have been among the most economically free people on Earth, which resulted in marked prosperity for the small country.

Key Points: 
  • For more than 150 years, Danes have been among the most economically free people on Earth, which resulted in marked prosperity for the small country.
  • At the turn of the 20th century, for instance, Denmark had one of the highest income levels in Europe.
  • However, from 1970 to 1995, Denmark’s government spending (as a share of the economy) skyrocketed from 24 per cent to 59 per cent.
  • (Denmark would have ranked first if not for its poor performance in the size of government component of the economic freedom measurement.)

Average Swedes pay high taxes to finance large government

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Mirage, Welfare state, Economic history, GST, Public policy, Fraser Institute, Government, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Fraser, Socialism, Atlantic Ocean

Specifically, in 2022 government spending in Sweden (as a share of the economy) was 46.8 per cent compared to 41.5 per cent in Canada.

Key Points: 
  • Specifically, in 2022 government spending in Sweden (as a share of the economy) was 46.8 per cent compared to 41.5 per cent in Canada.
  • In other words, the top personal income tax rate in Sweden applies to many average Swedish workers and families.
  • “Average Swedes pay the tax price for their large government sector,” Norberg said.
  • Finally, according to polling data released in 2023, Canadians overwhelmingly reject higher personal income taxes and a higher GST to finance more government spending.

Fraser Institute News Release: Sweden isn’t socialist, despite what socialist advocates outside the country may claim

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Private sector, Partnership, Institute of Economic Affairs, Mirage, Capitalism, Welfare state, Face, Economy, Economic history, Public policy, Fraser Institute, Government, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, The Fund for American Studies, American studies, Fund, Institute of Public Affairs, Renewable energy, Socialism

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite mischaracterizations by advocates of socialism outside of Sweden, the country is not socialist.

Key Points: 
  • VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite mischaracterizations by advocates of socialism outside of Sweden, the country is not socialist.
  • And in fact, it has a long history of comparatively small government, open markets, and competition.
  • The new book, to be fully released next month, documents Sweden’s history of relying on markets and competition rather than government.
  • And with low taxes, minimal regulation, and free and open trade, it also had the third-freest economy in the world.

Fraser Institute News Release: Guaranteed Annual Income could cost between $131.9 billion and $464.5 billion a year

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Basic income in Canada, Economy of Canada, Basic income, Economy, Labor relations, Welfare state, Government

Since the federal government introduced CERB there has been renewed interest in the idea of a Guaranteed Annual Income, but many Canadians are unaware of how much such a program could cost, said Jake Fuss, an economist with the Fraser Institute and co-author of GAI: How Much Could A Guaranteed Annual Income Cost?

Key Points: 
  • Since the federal government introduced CERB there has been renewed interest in the idea of a Guaranteed Annual Income, but many Canadians are unaware of how much such a program could cost, said Jake Fuss, an economist with the Fraser Institute and co-author of GAI: How Much Could A Guaranteed Annual Income Cost?
  • Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI) means that the government would ensure a minimum annual income to all individuals through cash transfers.
  • Alternatively, if the federal government based the Guaranteed Annual Income on CERB, providing a monthly benefit of $2,000 to all eligible Canadians, the annual program cost would soar to $464.5 billion, more than doubling all current federal government program spending.
  • If the federal government pursues a guaranteed annual income program, it will have to raise a staggering amount of revenue from taxpayers to pay for it, said Tegan Hill, author of GAI: Illustrating the Tax Implications of a Guaranteed Annual Income.

Work and Health Programme

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Disability in the United Kingdom, Welfare state in the United Kingdom, Employment and Support Allowance, Disability, British society, Welfare state, United Kingdom, Criticism of Employment Support Allowance, Work Programme

The Work and Health Programme is an employment support programme which was launched in North West England and Wales in November 2017.

Key Points: 
  • The Work and Health Programme is an employment support programme which was launched in North West England and Wales in November 2017.
  • The Work and Health Programme is an employment support programme which was launched in North West England and Wales in November 2017.
  • In 2018/19, the DWP spent 46 million on the Work and Health Programme.
  • Work, Health and Disability White Paper

    The Government published its White Paper, Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability in November 2017.

Committee publishes results of survey on experiences of benefit system

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Department for Work and Pensions, DWP, Unemployment in the United Kingdom, Welfare state in the United Kingdom, Pensions in the United Kingdom, Social programs, Welfare state, Government

The results of a survey to find out peoples experiences of the benefit system during the coronavirus outbreak have today been published by the Work and Pensions Committee.

Key Points: 
  • The results of a survey to find out peoples experiences of the benefit system during the coronavirus outbreak have today been published by the Work and Pensions Committee.
  • Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said:
    Hearing from people with first-hand experience of the benefits system is a crucial part of our scrutiny of the DWP.
  • It would be easier to understand how the system is working in practice if DWP were to publish more information.
  • Our survey has attempted to fill in some of the gaps, but there is no substitute for the official data.

Committee publishes results of survey on experiences of benefit system

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Department for Work and Pensions, DWP, Unemployment in the United Kingdom, Welfare state in the United Kingdom, Pensions in the United Kingdom, Social programs, Welfare state, Government

The results of a survey to find out peoples experiences of the benefit system during the coronavirus outbreak have today been published by the Work and Pensions Committee.

Key Points: 
  • The results of a survey to find out peoples experiences of the benefit system during the coronavirus outbreak have today been published by the Work and Pensions Committee.
  • Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said:
    Hearing from people with first-hand experience of the benefits system is a crucial part of our scrutiny of the DWP.
  • It would be easier to understand how the system is working in practice if DWP were to publish more information.
  • Our survey has attempted to fill in some of the gaps, but there is no substitute for the official data.

Committee publishes results of survey on experiences of benefit system

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Department for Work and Pensions, DWP, Unemployment in the United Kingdom, Welfare state in the United Kingdom, Pensions in the United Kingdom, Social programs, Welfare state, Government

The results of a survey to find out peoples experiences of the benefit system during the coronavirus outbreak have today been published by the Work and Pensions Committee.

Key Points: 
  • The results of a survey to find out peoples experiences of the benefit system during the coronavirus outbreak have today been published by the Work and Pensions Committee.
  • Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said:
    Hearing from people with first-hand experience of the benefits system is a crucial part of our scrutiny of the DWP.
  • It would be easier to understand how the system is working in practice if DWP were to publish more information.
  • Our survey has attempted to fill in some of the gaps, but there is no substitute for the official data.

Under-occupying social housing: Housing Benefit entitlement

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Affordable housing, Housing Benefit, Housing, Welfare Reform Act, Public housing, Welfare state, Government, Housing (Scotland) Act, Affordable housing by country, Local Housing Allowance

Social landlords have long had an interest in tackling under-occupation in order to achieve the best use of their housing stock.

Key Points: 
  • Social landlords have long had an interest in tackling under-occupation in order to achieve the best use of their housing stock.
  • The 2010 Coalition Government used powers contained in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that, since 1 April 2013, working age social tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit experience a reduction in their benefit entitlement if they live in housing that is deemed to be too large for their needs.
  • Restrictions on entitlement to Housing Benefit based on the size of the accommodation occupied have applied to claimants living in privately rented housing since 1989 (Schedule 3 to the Rent Officers (Additional Function) Order 1989).
  • The Department for Communities (DfC) is mitigating the impact of the deduction for social housing tenants up to March 2020.

People claiming unemployment benefits by constituency, September 2019

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Government, Unemployment in the United Kingdom, Social programs, Labour law, Welfare economics, Welfare state, Microeconomics, Social Security, Unemployment benefits, Jobseeker's Allowance, Unemployment, Universal Credit

In the latest quarter, there was a fall in the employment rate and an increase in the unemployment rate.

Key Points: 
  • In the latest quarter, there was a fall in the employment rate and an increase in the unemployment rate.
  • Despite this, the employment rate remains at a historically high level, while the unemployment rate remains at a historically low level.
  • The claimant count comprises people claiming Jobseekers Allowance, or people claiming Universal Credit who are required to seek work.
  • So as well as counting people who were indeed claiming unemployment benefits, it includes people who may not have been claiming at the time but who would have been required to look for work had Universal Credit been in place.