New research has revealed that stigma is structural and systemic in the social security system.
The study by Turn2us, the anti-poverty charity found that culture of surveillance and suspicion was identified, creating barriers to productive engagement in employment support and impacting mental health. a
More than three in five of current claimants surveyed said they felt that the system was trying to catch them out and only 15% of respondents found Jobcentre work coaches beneficial. 80% of PIP claimants regularly feared their support would be taken away, with interviews finding that someone’s whose health was exactly the same as when they successfully claimed could be turned down at their next assessment.
The report highlights how institutional stigma within the benefits system fuels wider societal prejudice, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about people who need financial support. This not only damages claimants’ self-worth but also undermines trust in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Jobcentres, where stigma is often felt acutely.
Lucy Bannister, Head of Policy and Influencing at Turn2us, said: “Our social security system is a vital public service, just like the NHS, that helps us stay afloat when life changes. But right now, people are being treated with suspicion and contempt when they try to access support. A demoralising and infantilising process is reducing confidence and worsening health – making it harder for people to engage productively in employment support or trust assessors.
It is clear that for the government to meet its goals of a more effective and sustainable social security system, their reforms need to prioritise rebuilding trust in DWP and treating people with dignity and respect.”
