This is according to research commissioned by Scottish Provident, which reveals that in the five years since it was last commissioned, there has been a huge jump in the number of people who are willing to believe that the State would provide an adequate safety net for today’s lifestyle needs. In 2003, just 1 in 5 (22%) people questioned said they believe that the state provides an adequate safety net for modern standards of living. Today this figure has risen by 13 percentage points to more than a third (35%), this is despite job seekers allowance increasing by just £5.76 on average during this time.
These are the latest findings from the “High Wire Britain” report, an independent research study commissioned by Scottish Provident and undertaken by market research specialists Ipsos MORI to investigate the changing lifestyles and attitudes of the British population.
Whilst there has been an increase since 2003 across all age groups in the belief that the state provides an adequate safety net for a modern standard of living, some seem more willing to believe the state welfare system will provide for them than others.
It seems those aged 45-54 are amongst the biggest sceptics about whether or not the state welfare system provides an adequate safety net, followed by 35-44 year olds.
The report does reveal a continuing high level of support for a welfare system, with 72% of Brits believing that the state welfare system in Britain should provide an adequate safety net for modern standards of living.
Susan Barclay, head of marketing at Scottish Provident, commented: “Our report reveals that over the past five years, more people have come to believe that the state would provide an adequate safety net should the worst happen and we find ourselves out of work. However, the reality is that the average increase in job seekers allowance of just under £6 doesn’t come close to the cost of living in today’s world and the Government will continue to place greater emphasis on people providing for themselves.”
