Law Centre NI responds to the UK Government’s ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’

Law Centre NI’s response 

Law Centre NI has submitted our response to the UK Government’s ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’. 

Our response highlights the adverse impacts which these proposed policies will have upon many individuals, with a specific focus upon Northern Ireland. Based on our engagement, evidence and research, we have outlined a series or recommendations, which we strongly urge the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department for Communities (DfC) to consider in our response, such as:

• LCNI recommends that DWP does not proceed with these proposals; 
• LCNI recommends that DWP should ensure that all proposed policy measures are subject to consultation; 
• LCNI recommend DWP should increase meaningful engagement with people and organisations across NI, particularly in advance of the White Paper. It is important that those who will be affected have adequate opportunity to engage with the responsible Department; 
• LCNI recommends that DWP and the Executive provide clarification in relations to all costings and the required budget for these proposals so that an accurate and efficient EQIA process can take place. 

Our response can be read here.  

Cliff Edge Coalition NI’s Response 

LCNI are proud convenors and members of the Cliff Edge Coalition.  

We were pleased to work on and contribute to the comprehensive, multi-organisational Coalition’s response to the Green Paper alongside fellow Working Group colleagues. The Coalition’s response, endorsed by LCNI, can be viewed here.

On 18th June 2025, the Coalition’s Working Group hosted an online event focused on this response, in which Coalition’s members delivered presentations and a question and answer session was facilitated. This event provided a critical space for organisations to share concerns, whilst outline ways in which we collectively can move forward in a constructive, collective manner together as we navigate the uncertainty of these proposals.  

The absence of key statistics  

Throughout this consultation process, LCNI raised concerns about the ability of individuals and organisations from across NI to meaningfully contribute, due to restrictions arising from the lack of essential and relevant statistical data. Further information in relation to this can be read here.   

Although some of the data relative to these proposals has now been published by DfC, LCNI express our disappointment that these were published close to the consultation response deadline (27th June 2025), and received further updates on (7th July 2025).  

We welcome further engagement with the Department’s and interested parties on this matter, and we encourage concerned individuals to seek independent advice.  

If you would like to discuss our response to the Green Paper, please contact Holly Knox, Policy and Community Engagement Officer, at holly.knox@lawcentreni.org