Abstract This study explores the challenges associated with sub‐state welfare development in Wales, one of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom. It examines the Welsh Government's stated aim of creating a coherent and compassionate Welsh Benefits System (WBS) based on human rights and equality. The analysis reveals a broad array of Welsh Government‐administered benefits yet argues that the current WBS is fragmented and arcane, with limited uptake. It shows the discursive ideological underpinnings of devolved benefits and how a distinctive body of law compels Welsh Ministers to uphold rights in benefits delivery in ways that contrast to elsewhere in the United Kingdom. We argue, the effectiveness of current moves towards a rights‐based WBS will depend on overcoming formidable challenges. These include systemic reforms to integrate dozens of separate benefits currently administered by numerous different Welsh Government departments and public bodies, budgetary constraints, political will and intergovernmental agreement between the Welsh and UK Governments.
Paul Chaney (Thu,) studied this question.
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