Indeed, it has been argued that systems in which benefits are not targeted towards low-income groups are precisely the ones that benefit those groups most (Danson and others, 2013). Further, universalism creates broader public support and a wider public demand for a better quality of public service which, in turn, enables the imposition of a more progressive tax system that helps reduce income inequality while increasing social cohesion and stability. This underscores the strong arguments being made in the international public policy discourse in favour of a move from targeted safety nets back to universal social provision (Deacon, 2005). Targeting of specific groups has often been suggested by multilateral financial institutions and donors as a way of achieving social objectives without a significant rise in social spending (Besley and Kanbur, 1990, United Nations, 2008).