As a follow up to the successful Jobs Summit with David Miliband MP, the Young Fabians are hosting a major debate on the future of the welfare state in the Houses of Parliament, Westminster. With the economy in recession, youth unemployment still soaring above a million, and the biggest cuts and reform being enacted to our benefits system since its inception, debating the future of our welfare state could not be a more important national debate. Our panel of expert speakers will discuss and attempt to answer four crucial questions:

1. Benefits for all, some, or none: In the age of austerity, can we still afford universalism in the benefits system?

2. Work for welfare: Just conditionality or unfair exploitation? 

3. Full employment: How do we get there?

4. Does a "culture of entitlement" pervade our welfare system?

We anticipate the seminar providing a fantastic opportunity for members and non-members alike, to learn from different welfare to work approaches and reform measures in both the US and UK, as well as enjoying the exciting chance to debate the future characteristics and shape of our welfare system with high profile politicians, policy-makers and notable thinkers.

The event will take place on July 4th 2012 between 18:30-20:30pm Wilson Room, Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament, Westminster.

Confirmed speakers include:

Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Shadow Employment Minister & former Cabinet Minister.

Natalie Branosky, Chief Executive, InclusionUS & former Employment & Poverty Adviser in the British Embassy, Washington.

Matthew Oakley, Head of Economic and Social Policy, Policy Exchange, Britain's leading centre-right think-tank.

Owen Jones, Columnist for The Independent & Author of 'Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class'. 

Andrew Harrop, General Secretary of the Fabian Society & Author of ‘The Coalition and Universalism’.

This event is free to attend and open to all. This event is not to be missed and we hope as many of you can be a part of it. To register, please sign up here.