Blog: 80 years on, trust must be at the heart of our social security system

When the National Insurance Act was introduced 80 years ago, it laid the foundation for the system we have today, stating that it would 'provide for everyone without exception'.

Much has changed, including the policy challenges and the structure of the social security system. But the founding value, that social security is there for all of us, remains as important as ever. 

To support us to live independently or take our next steps into work, we need to trust that the system will be there when we need it and treat us all with dignity and respect. 

Why trust matters 

Like our NHS, our social security system should always be there for us. But right now, many of us feel overlooked by those in power and let down by a social security system that doesn't support us when we need it to. When we try to get support to deal with life changes, or just to live well, too often we're left feeling ashamed, undeserving and stuck. 

Stigma operates in multiple, overlapping ways. It is baked into the way the system is designed and delivered, and reinforced through the narratives used by politicians and the media.

Too many people feel like the system is trying to catch them out. And headlines describing spending on social security as unsustainable lead to a sense of fatalism that rather than providing the support people need to get back on track, it will make difficult times even harder.

Our research shows that just 6% of the public think the way politicians speak about people claiming benefits increases trust in the system. 

This has a devastating impact on our health, financial security and wellbeing. More than half of people claiming support through the social security system agree that the process made their mental health worse. But not only does this damage individual lives, it erodes trust in the social security system, making it less effective as a safety net for everyone.  

It's time for the government to make decisions that support our society as a whole and invest in a better future for everyone.  

An opportunity to rebuild trust 

In Andy Burnham, we have a new Prime Minister who says he wants to ease the cost of living, invest in people's success, and put care at the heart of government.

The social security system is where all three ambitions meet: it supports us when we can't cover rising costs, helps us take our next step into work, and cares for us when we need it most.

But right now, it too often falls short, and that is the opportunity in front of us. If this government wants a system that supports, invests and cares, rebuilding trust in social security must be one of its first priorities. 

The government is committed to reforming social security. It is formally reviewing support for disabled people and for young people and has launched multiple initiatives to support more people into work. But for people to engage with this support, they need to trust that the system will help them grow their confidence, realise their ambitions and live with dignity. 

Our policy report, 'From stigma to support', sets out what rebuilding trust could look like in practice, from training assessors to understand the realities of disability and illness, to replacing threatening sanctions and conditionality with time and personalised support.

But, at its heart, rebuilding trust means making sure our social security system always treats us with dignity and respect, so we know it will be there to support us. 

Building trust through lived experience 

At Turn2us, our own long-standing work with co-production partners has made one thing clear - research and developing policy to address financial security cannot be done without the people who have experienced it.  

The process of shaping services and policy alongside people with lived experience requires careful planning but the results are always worth it. Co-production can often provide more insightful learnings than data or stats can in a fast-changing environment. It reminds us that these are human experiences and the process of sharing power helps to build trust in the system.  

In the words of our co-production partner, Julie: "This work is essential because it bridges the gap between policy and reality, ensuring that services are designed with a genuine understanding of those who rely on them. I am proud to use my input to help lead that change." 

Starting with how we talk about social security 

We know that now, as 80 years ago, our social security system is a force for good. But to build trust and make sure everyone feels confident turning to the system for support, we need to promote it as something we can be proud of. 

We urge parliamentarians, journalists and our sector colleagues to ensure the language they choose helps to build understanding about the crucial role our social security system plays and avoids fuelling harmful misconceptions and stigma. We recommend referring to our 'Talking about social security' guides.  

A shared responsibility 

When it was set up, the National Insurance Act stated that the success of the social security system was dependent on the 'willing co-operation of every one of us'.  

We know the opportunities and challenges we face today are different to those we faced 80 years ago. But ensuring support is always there for us when we need it is still the core purpose of our social security system. And it's only by working together that we can make sure everyone has a decent chance and secure a better future for us all.