Work and social security provision in Britain: seeking a third way

Abstract

This chapter critically examines the situation in Britain which has led the current government's declaration that they are 'placing work at the heart of social welfare reform'. It summarises the economic, social and political contexts which have framed debates about work and social security policy and provision in post war Britain. The chapter highlights the ways in which major changes in social security policy and provision made by government during this period have impacted on work and welfare dependency. It traces the ways in which emerging concerns about work and welfare dependency have influenced social security policy and provision over the last decade. The chapter concludes with a consideration of the current and future implications of the five point welfare reform programme introduced by government in 1998 to combat worklessness in 21st century Britain and to that extent has a much narrower focus than the Malaysian governments attempts to establish appropriate social welfare provision for the first time.