In-work Benefits and Human Well-Being: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Many governments believe they can intervene in the economy to improve people's lives. Reliable knowledge is handicapped, however, by the lack of randomized trials. We report the results of a social-science experiment funded by the UK government. In it, thousands of disadvantaged people were assigned to treatment and control groups. The treated were offered a  range of in-work benefits. We study a sample of 3,500 single parents for 5 ensuing years. Treated individuals earned more than those in the control group. However, they had substantially lower psychological well-being, worried more, and became more prone to debt.

This seminar will be held in room D221, Social Sciences Building