Monju's hot seat on Relaks Radio and UCAN

On Monju's Hot Seat, Relaks Radio, Ripon, on behalf of UCAN, talked about the state of Britain today in the context of welfare system and the housing crisis. Whilst on the show for two hours with Manju Haque, Ripon shared his thoughts on the way the welfare state has been transformed since its creation.

In the 19th century, a period of great industrial change in Britain, welfare services were needed to improve the conditions of workers. Germany competed against Britain to develop such a system that was about advancing the safety-net for workers to compete in the global economic market. Most of the welfare services, however, were provided by churches, charities and trade unions.

After the Second World War the state nationalised many of these services.There were mass social housing development programmes, the creation of the National Health Service and the welfare and social care functions provided by national governments.

Ripon went on to say that since the 1980s erosion of the welfare state was beginning to take shape. The perception shifted towards demonising claimants who are on benefits.

Post austerity measures have worsened things for low income individuals and households, explains Ripon, just as economy faces further regulation. Trussell Trust highlighted that wherever universal credit has been rolled out the demand to foodbank parcels increased by 53%.

Ripon had the fortune to respond to two callers on universal credit related issues. Monju also did ask a broad range of questions related to the housing crisis and many more things.

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