Devolution and localisation have become increasingly important aspects of social security in the UK since 2012, but the extent of this process and its implications for people who receive benefits are often poorly understood. This report therefore examines the extent, nature, causes and implications of place-based variation in social security for working-age adults and families with dependent children across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is part of the Safety Nets research project — the first systematic, UK-wide study of the devolution and localisation of social security.

Our work is funded by the Nuffield Foundation, an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance social well-being. It funds research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare and Justice. The Nuffield Foundation is the founder and co-funder of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Ada Lovelace Institute and the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. The Foundation has funded this project, but the views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily the Foundation. Visit nuffieldfoundation.org.