Making Work Pay? What role can the welfare state play in raising living standards? Dec 2014

The conference focused on the impact of the current high levels of unemployment and falling average weekly earnings, low-paid workers and their families now accounting for the majority of people living in poverty. Keynote speeches were given by Howard Reed from Landman Economics, who focused on child poverty. And Andy King, Head of Staff at the Office for Budget Responsibility, who focused on the OBR's recent Welfare Trends Report.

Other speakers included and responses were given by:

• Rachael Badger, Head of Policy for Families, Welfare and Work, Citizens Advice
• Peter Brant, Acting Director of the Secretariat to the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission
• Richard Exell, Senior Policy Officer, TUC
• Alison Garnham, Chief Executive, Child Poverty Action Group
• Andrew Hood, Research Economist, Institute for Fiscal Studies

The conference was chaired by Nicola Smith, TUC Head of Economic and Social Affairs.

Presentations given by various speakers can be viewed below