The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published its Areas of Research Interest 2026, a document that sets out the priority evidence gaps guiding the development of benefit policy. This year's priorities are stark: understanding how disability benefits can be improved, exploring ways to incentivise work among claimants, and tackling pensioner poverty.
The DWP is now seeking collaboration with external researchers to address these pressing issues. Key research areas include evaluating the effectiveness of disability benefits, assessing the impact of Universal Credit on work incentives, and measuring pensioner poverty.
Dr Helen Barnard, Director of the centre-left think tank Joseph Rowntree Foundation, praised the DWP's commitment to evidence-based policy-making. 'It is essential that DWP works with external researchers to ensure benefit policy is based on robust evidence,' she said.
The document, released in response to the UK government's emphasis on evidence-based decision-making, outlines specific research priorities and invites collaboration from the external research community. Dr Barnard noted that the DWP's research priorities align with existing evidence from her organisation and other research groups.
While some experts welcome the DWP's research focus, others are waiting to see how the findings will be used to inform benefit policy in practice.