Harsh effects due to laws and regulations
Within social security, laws and regulations (and their implementation) can cause citizens to get into serious trouble. The benefits affair is an example of this, but problems can also occur within the Participation Act, UWV laws, the Jobs Agreement and the payment of the PGB. What effect does this have on the lives of citizens? And what can we do to prevent these effects in the future?
In conversation with citizens
In trouble because of government
We delved into the lives of 25 citizens who got into trouble because of laws and regulations within social security. This eventually led to four stories of experience that take you through what it does to citizens when harsh effects occur. Bottlenecks in laws and regulations in these cases led not only to financial insecurity, but also to negative effects on work, living situation, personal relationships and (mental) health. Download the report to experience the stories of Yvon, Ellen, couple Hoekstra and Dané.
In conversation with stakeholders
From bottleneck to solution direction
Together with the consortium, we delved into the laws and regulations to discover exactly where the bottlenecks are. In discussion with implementing organizations, interest representatives and knowledge institutions, we looked for action perspectives to prevent or reduce harsh effects. This led to concrete solution directions and suggestions for legislation, policy and implementation.
Impact of research
To the second chamber
Following a motion by Pieter Omtzigt, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment commissioned this study. Muzus carried it out together with Panteia, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Hogeschool Utrecht. This resulted in a definition of hardship, an analysis framework and a research report. The research report with the stories, bottlenecks and solution directions was presented to the Lower House in July 2022. Trouw wrote an article about the research.
