Four The case for universal child benefit
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Anthony B. Atkinson
Abstract
This chapter takes up Peter’s campaign for a universal child benefit, started over 40 years ago. It makes the case for its retention, against the trend policy on income-tested benefits increasingly favoured by the British government over the past 30 years, not only for its crucial role in addressing child poverty but based on a wider view of social justice concerned to redistribute towards families with children and with gender equity. It notes that this discussion is particularly pertinent given the proposal by the Coalition government to end child benefit for higher rate taxpayers announced in October 2010. It also contains an implicit critique of economists for their failure to address important social issues.
Abstract
This chapter takes up Peter’s campaign for a universal child benefit, started over 40 years ago. It makes the case for its retention, against the trend policy on income-tested benefits increasingly favoured by the British government over the past 30 years, not only for its crucial role in addressing child poverty but based on a wider view of social justice concerned to redistribute towards families with children and with gender equity. It notes that this discussion is particularly pertinent given the proposal by the Coalition government to end child benefit for higher rate taxpayers announced in October 2010. It also contains an implicit critique of economists for their failure to address important social issues.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Preface viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- The legacy of Peter Townsend 1
- The making of a pioneer researcher: reflections from Peter Townsend’s life story 29
- Peter Townsend, a man ahead of his time: re-reading The family life of old people and The last refuge 59
- The case for universal child benefit 79
- Poverty 91
- Social justice for children: investigating and eradicating child poverty 111
- For universalism and against the means test 133
- Underclass, overclass, ruling class, supernova class 153
- Addressing health inequalities: building on Peter Townsend’s legacy 175
- Towards a new sociology of ageing: from structured dependency to critical gerontology 193
- Disability: prospects for social inclusion 223
- Putting the lawyers in their place: the role of human rights in the struggle against poverty 241
- Radicalising social policy in the 21st century: a global approach 257
- Conclusion: building on the legacy of Peter Townsend 275
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Preface viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- The legacy of Peter Townsend 1
- The making of a pioneer researcher: reflections from Peter Townsend’s life story 29
- Peter Townsend, a man ahead of his time: re-reading The family life of old people and The last refuge 59
- The case for universal child benefit 79
- Poverty 91
- Social justice for children: investigating and eradicating child poverty 111
- For universalism and against the means test 133
- Underclass, overclass, ruling class, supernova class 153
- Addressing health inequalities: building on Peter Townsend’s legacy 175
- Towards a new sociology of ageing: from structured dependency to critical gerontology 193
- Disability: prospects for social inclusion 223
- Putting the lawyers in their place: the role of human rights in the struggle against poverty 241
- Radicalising social policy in the 21st century: a global approach 257
- Conclusion: building on the legacy of Peter Townsend 275
- Index 303
