One Social security and welfare reform under New Labour
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Peter A. Kemp
Abstract
This chapter outlines the recent developments in social security policy. The analysis starts with a review of key themes in welfare reform since 1997. It is argued that New Labour has considerably reformed the social security system, which was driven by the need to adapt to societal changes and economic policy concerns. It also examines the recent developments, which include the ones related to welfare to work, Incapacity Benefit, policies for lone parents, and pension reform. The chapter furthermore considers the emerging trends that can be translated into primary long-term reforms if Labour returns to office in 2005.
Abstract
This chapter outlines the recent developments in social security policy. The analysis starts with a review of key themes in welfare reform since 1997. It is argued that New Labour has considerably reformed the social security system, which was driven by the need to adapt to societal changes and economic policy concerns. It also examines the recent developments, which include the ones related to welfare to work, Incapacity Benefit, policies for lone parents, and pension reform. The chapter furthermore considers the emerging trends that can be translated into primary long-term reforms if Labour returns to office in 2005.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Notes on contributors v
- Introduction 1
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Current services
- Social security and welfare reform under New Labour 15
- New Labour’s education policy: innovation or reinvention? 33
- Transforming the NHS: the story in 2004 51
- Housing in an ‘opportunity society’ 69
- Personal Social Services 85
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Current issues
- Governance and social policy in Northern Ireland (1999-2004): the devolution years and postscript 107
- At home abroad: the presidential election of 2004, the politics of American social policy and what European readers might make of these subjects 125
- The future of healthcare in the UK: think-tanks and their policy prescriptions 147
- Consumerism and the reform of public services: inequalities and instabilities 167
- The challenges of measuring government output in the healthcare sector 183
- Social investment perspectives and practices: a decade in British politics 203
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New Labour
- A rootless third way: a continental European perspective on New Labour’s welfare state, revisited 233
- Welfare after Thatcherism: New Labour and social democratic politics 255
- A progressive consensus in the making? 273
- New Labour’s family policy 289
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Notes on contributors v
- Introduction 1
-
Current services
- Social security and welfare reform under New Labour 15
- New Labour’s education policy: innovation or reinvention? 33
- Transforming the NHS: the story in 2004 51
- Housing in an ‘opportunity society’ 69
- Personal Social Services 85
-
Current issues
- Governance and social policy in Northern Ireland (1999-2004): the devolution years and postscript 107
- At home abroad: the presidential election of 2004, the politics of American social policy and what European readers might make of these subjects 125
- The future of healthcare in the UK: think-tanks and their policy prescriptions 147
- Consumerism and the reform of public services: inequalities and instabilities 167
- The challenges of measuring government output in the healthcare sector 183
- Social investment perspectives and practices: a decade in British politics 203
-
New Labour
- A rootless third way: a continental European perspective on New Labour’s welfare state, revisited 233
- Welfare after Thatcherism: New Labour and social democratic politics 255
- A progressive consensus in the making? 273
- New Labour’s family policy 289
- Index 303
