How social security works
An introduction to benefits in Britain
1st Edition
Published on 19. January 2011
296 pages
978-1-4473-4285-4 (ISBN)
Description
How social security works is an introduction to the much-misunderstood system of benefits in Britain. The book is an accessible, broadly based and sometimes controversial text which can help readers to make sense of the system in practice. It explains the guiding principles, outlines the social context, considers the development and political dimensions of benefits, and reviews how the system operates now. There are detailed discussions of the types of benefit, and the contingencies covered by the benefits system.
Paul Spicker examines whether the system offers value for money, how it could be simplified and how it can be improved. The book will be useful to students on undergraduate and professional courses, but beyond that it will appeal to policy makers, practitioners and a broader general readership.
Paul Spicker examines whether the system offers value for money, how it could be simplified and how it can be improved. The book will be useful to students on undergraduate and professional courses, but beyond that it will appeal to policy makers, practitioners and a broader general readership.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
01/2011
1st Edition
Policy Press
€39.10
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
01/2011
1st Edition
Policy Press
€84.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
01/2011
1st Edition
Policy Press
€50.99
Available for download
Person
Author
Robert Gordon University
Paul Spicker is Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. His research has included studies of poverty, need, disadvantage and service delivery. His books on social policy for Policy Press have discussed the poverty, social security and the theory of social policy, and a leading textbook, 'Social Policy: Theory and Practice'.
Paul Spicker is Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. His research has included studies of poverty, need, disadvantage and service delivery. His books on social policy for Policy Press have discussed the poverty, social security and the theory of social policy, and a leading textbook, 'Social Policy: Theory and Practice'.
Content
Part one: Introductory principles: What is social security?; Social security and the welfare state; Social security and society; Part two: The development of the system: The origins of social security in the UK; The politics of social security; A unified system?; Part three: Benefits: National Insurance; Means tested benefits I: the basic minimum; Means testing II: income supplements; The provision of non-contributory benefits; Discretionary benefits; Universal benefits; Claiming benefits; Understanding complexity; Part four: The principal contingencies: Pensioners; Benefits for people with disabilities; Incapacity; Children and families; Lone parents; Unemployed people; Benefits for the poor; Part five: Issues in social security policy: The cost of social security; Targeting; Fraud and abuse; Responding to poverty; Social security and redistribution; How social security in Britain compares to other countries.
