Title

HOUSING

Let's start with a housing-first approach to welfare

Unlike health-related prevention strategies which take decades to materialise, the rapid expansion of decent, affordable homes creates conditions for decent lives, says Mo Baines.

article-author
By Mo Baines | 22 July 2025
(c)APSE

Let us start with a point of relative unity. The UK welfare bill has grown exponentially.

The Office for Budget Responsibility data suggests benefits such as Universal Credit increased from £12bn in 1985-86 to £78bn in 2023-24. Disability spending is forecast at £58bn by 2028-29 from its current levels of around £40bn.

Mo Baines

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Mo Baines

Popular articles by Mo Baines

  1. Controlling immigration will not address the labour market issues
  2. Providing a local step back into good work
  3. The measure of success is a shift in how councillors are viewed
  4. Public and private investment must both be in the chancellor's red box
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