Present system praised

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32873, 23 March 1972, Page 5

Present system praised

The present social security system has worked to the advantage of the nation since it was introduced in 1938, and no alternative examined by the commission is likely to do better, the Royal Commission on Social Security says in summarising its report.

The commission says it believes its recommendations will improve what is already a good, well-administered scheme and ensure that it will be able to cope with future problems as it has coped with those of the last 33 years. “We have adopted what may well be regarded as a cautious approach to apme proposals in monetary benefits or extending benefit coverage,” the report says. “We have done this advisedly, because we have been conscious that our recommendations, if adopted, are likely to cost something approaching sloom a year, and that this is bound to have significant effects for taxation and for inflation. “We have found no public support for the view that the system has unduly affected initiative, sapped self-reli-ance, or restricted economic, social, or cultural growth and development,” the commission says. Discussing the administration of social security, the commission says that'the present Social Security Commission is a purely departmental committee and ap-

pears to have had little independence. “What is needed,” says the Royal Commission, “is a body of people with wide and varied experience which is plainly independent in judg- ; ment.” This new body would not administer the department; it would be advisory and not executive. But, says the comi mission, it would be the . apex of an appeal structure giving applicants for assistance the right to appeal ’ against departmental de- ' cisions.