The implications of Universal Credit for women's citizenship: an investigation into the experiences and views of mothers subject to conditionality.

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The introduction of Universal Credit (2013-2022), a new means-tested benefit for working age people, constitutes significant welfare reform. Welfare conditionality (whereby benefits are paid on the condition that recipients undertake specified activities and behave in certain ways) is central to Universal Credit. Under this new benefit, couples are to nominate a "responsible carer". Lone parents will automatically be designated "responsible carer". This responsible carer will be subject to varying degrees of conditionality depending on the age of the youngest child. Failing to meet these conditions could result in sanctions of up to three years. Women will be disproportionately affected by conditionality for responsible carers and thus there may be implications for women's citizenship.Gender inclusive conceptions of citizenship both promote women's work on equal terms as men and value unpaid care work (chiefly undertaken by women), thereby expanding choice. However, the introduction of responsible carer conditionality may devalue unpaid care work: from April 2017 mothers with children aged three and above will be expected to seek paid work and face benefit sanctions for non-compliance. Responsible carer conditionality may also impede efforts towards labour market equality by focusing on getting mothers into work rather than on the type of work they enter. In addition, this conditionality may deny women choice regarding work and care. This research will empirically investigate these concerns. The overarching research question is: What are mothers' experiences and views of attempting to meet the work-related expectations of Universal Credit in light of current labour market conditions and their caring responsibilities?The linked sub-questions are:1. How, and to what extent, does the welfare conditionality inherent within Universal Credit affect mothers' decisions surrounding unpaid care work and paid work?2. How do mothers view the work-related expectations of Universal Credit in light of their caring responsibilities?3. How does welfare conditionality affect women's paid employment prospects?MethodsThe research will begin with a detailed review of the literature and policy in order to develop a knowledge base and establish the theoretical underpinnings of the study. Qualitative semi-structured individual interviews will be employed as these are appropriate for gaining detailed and in-depth data of individuals' experiences and views. The location of the study will be Greater Manchester, one of the first areas to accept Universal Credit applications from families. Selection of participants will be achieved through purposive sampling. Access to potential participants will be negotiated through existing contacts such as Citizens Advice Manchester. The sample will consist of thirty women in receipt of Universal Credit: fifteen lone mothers and fifteen mothers in couple relationships to enable comparison. The resulting data will be analysed using thematic data analysis in order to produce a detailed account of the phenomena under study.TimescaleYear 1: Draft literature review, obtain ethical approval, recruit participants.Year 2: Construct and pilot interview guide, conduct interviews, analyse data.Year 3: Conduct member checks, update literature review, write up thesis.Knowledge exchange and impactThis timely and relevant research project will be the first empirical study to explore the implications of Universal Credit conditionality for women's citizenship. Outputs and insights from the project, including evidenced based recommendations for policy and practice, will be useful for a diverse range of stakeholders including policy makers, practitioners, local authorities, and public and third sector service providers. The qualitative evidence base will also be beneficial to local, national and international campaigning bodies, charities, community groups and mothers in receipt of Universal Credit.