About equality

The Commission on Social Security recognises that some people are treated unfairly by the current benefits system.

• Women have been unfairly affected by cuts to social security because of lower incomes and caring responsibilities.

• Ethnic minority groups suffer discrimination and inequality. Some groups are more likely to be on low incomes so can be unfairly affected by changes to the system.

• Disabled people and those with long term health issues have been badly affected by recent changes. The D/deaf community should be recognised as its own group. There needs to be awareness of different types of impairments.

• Carers save society billions of pounds a year, while many struggle financially.

• The Commission also wants to highlight other groups who can face unfair treatment and may need specific support in the social security system. These include members of the LGBT+ community, Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities; and prisoners and their families.

  The Commission has worked hard to include people and put accessibility at the heart of the project. The Commission insists that this is vital for creating a social security system for all. Equality is key when looking at the Commission’s work and the proposals it makes.