05/10/2026
Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 9
The future of welfare: what does the public want?
Baroness Amanda Spielman (House of Lords, Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions) and former HM Chief inspector of Education)
Ryan Shorthouse (Bright Blue, Executive Chair)
Dr Stephen Brien (Social Security Advisory Committee , Chair (Invited))
Helen Barnard (Trussell , Director of Policy and Research)
Alex Scholes (Attitudinal Surveys and NatCen Opinion Panel, Research Director)
Tali Fraser (The Spectator, Commissioning Editor (Invited))
Economic inactivity has risen sharply since the pandemic. The cost of the state pension is set to rise significantly with public debt to reach eye-watering levels. What do the public think about the purpose, sustainability and fairness of the welfare system? Drawing on new analysis from the BSA survey, this panel explores the features of a centre-right approach to welfare reform that could win back voters, reduce expenditure and grow the economy.
Hyatt Regency Birmingham : Soprano
Social security, disability and health-related inactivity: What is the Conservative case for reform?
Helen Whately MP (Conservative Party, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
Helen Barnard (Trussell , Director of Policy and Research)
Fraser Nelson (The Times, Columnist)
Dr Ben Paxton (Institute for Government, Senior Researcher)
Reforming health and disability benefits has been one of the thorniest issues faced by this and former governments. The Conservatives have set out proposals to save £23bn as part of its "Get Britain Working Again" pledge and has begun a major review of the system. So how should Kemi Badenoch’s party set about reforming employment support and social security for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions?