{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/5ea004d9fbcc383829c71657/68de914959fa988cc4aec676?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Should the middle class get benefits?","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/5ea004d9fbcc383829c71657/1759414670676-be93e3d2-d7f2-489c-a2f3-2cd5c153b529.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><strong>From child benefit to winter fuel payments, debates over who <em>really</em> deserves support run through the history of the UK’s welfare state. </strong></p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of <em>IFS Zooms In</em>, we ask whether benefits should be universal, means-tested or contributory&nbsp;— and why the UK's benefits system has become one of the most means-tested in the developed world.</p><p><br></p><p>Helen is joined by Nicholas Timmins (Institute for Government) and Tom Waters (IFS) to explore Beveridge’s original vision, the rise of means-testing and whether ideas like Universal Basic Income could work.</p><p><br></p><p>Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membership</p><p><br></p><p>Find out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts</p>","author_name":"Institute for Fiscal Studies"}