A survey has revealed that 47% of Labour party members believe the government is spending too much on social security. This finding was highlighted in a poll published on 4 August.
Despite this perception, spending on non-pensioner social security has consistently remained at approximately 5% of GDP over the past decade. Ruth Lister, a Labour peer in the House of Lords, suggests that social security was significantly impacted by austerity measures, leading to benefits insufficient for basic needs and an increased reliance on food banks.
Lister also indicated that evidence from academics, thinktanks, and charities suggests that improving social security is the most effective method for tackling child poverty. The Institute for Government has proposed that social security should be viewed as preventive spending, potentially reducing the demand on acute services.