Welfare benefits are often intended to be available to people in times of need, providing support and security when times are tough. So imagine the shock when it was recently discovered that, with welfare benefits, a troubling discrimination was occurring.

A recent analysis of an algorithm used to evaluate people claiming welfare benefits has revealed that individuals were being systemically disadvantaged when it came to receiving the benefits they very much needed. In particular, individuals from certain groups, such as those with a disability, single parents, and those from Black, Asian, or minority backgrounds experienced the highest level of discrimination.

To make matters worse, this algorithmic discrimination meant that even those who actually qualified for welfare benefits were denied them. At best, this resulted in applicants being delayed or delayed for a long duration when it came to receiving their much-needed support, at worst it resulted in them being rejected even when they qualified for benefits.

What is perhaps the most troubling revelation from this analysis is that the current welfare benefits system is designed in a way that allows for discrimination to occur in the first place. The underlying algorithm for evaluating welfare benefits claims is far from transparent, with barely any insight as to how decisions are actually made.

Meanwhile, the individuals affected by this situation also rarely receive any explanation as to why their benefits were delayed or rejected. This leaves them unable to challenge the algorithmic decisions, further contributing to the injustice of this situation.

Although it is a step in the right direction that this algorithm has been identified and analyzed, the reality is that this discrimination was occurring long before anyone realized what was actually happening.

Ultimately, this news is deeply concerning and highlights the importance of greater transparency and accountability in algorithms and their ability to influence decisions involving people’s lives. If a fair and just welfare system is to be achieved, these issues must be resolved and a commitment must be made to address systemic biases in the welfare system.