Published
Sep 30, 2008Page count
304 pagesISBN
978-1847420398Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Sep 30, 2008Page count
304 pagesISBN
978-1847420404Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Sep 30, 2008Page count
304 pagesISBN
978-1447315421Imprint
Policy PressPublished
Sep 30, 2008Page count
304 pagesISBN
978-1447315438Imprint
Policy Press
Modernising the welfare state
Tony Blair was the longest serving Labour Prime Minister in British history. This book, the third in a trilogy of books on New Labour edited by Martin Powell, analyses the legacy of his government for social policy, focusing on the extent to which it has changed the UK welfare state. Drawing on both conceptual and empirical evidence, the book offers forward-looking speculation on emerging and future welfare issues.
The book's high-profile contributors examine the content and extent of change. They explore which of the elements of modernisation matter for their area. Which sectors saw the greatest degree of change? Do terms such as 'modern welfare state' or 'social investment state' have any resonance? They also examine change over time with reference to the terms of the government. Was reform a fairly continuous event, or was it concentrated in certain periods? Finally, the contributors give an assessment of likely policy direction under a future Labour or Conservative government.
Previous books in the trilogy are "New Labour, new welfare state?" (1999) and "Evaluating New Labour's welfare reforms" (2002) (see below). The works should be read by academics, undergraduates and post-graduates on courses in social policy, public policy and political science.
"This book builds on the established reputation of Powell's previous two collections on the Blair governments. It will be eagerly awaited by students looking for an informed and comprehensive analysis of Labour's achievements over the last decade." Pete Alcock, Professor of Social Policy and Administration, University of Birmingham
"For anyone who wants to understand welfare under New Labour and future directions for the welfare state this book is recommended. It is an up-to-date, authoritative and informative explanation of change." Luke Martell, Reader in Sociology, University of Sussex
Martin Powell is Professor of Health and Social Policy at the Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham.
Introduction: modernising the welfare state ~ Martin Powell; The NHS after 10 years of New Labour ~ Calum Paton; Housing policy: coming in out of the cold? ~ Brian Lund; Social security and welfare reform ~ Stephen McKay and Karen Rowlingson; Social care under Blair: are social care services more modern? ~ Mark Baldwin; Education: from the comprehensive to the individual ~ Susan Martin and Yolande Muschamp; Controlling crime and disorder: the Labour legacy ~ Sarah Charman and Stephen P. Savage; Social investment: the discourse and the dimensions of change ~ Alexandra Dobrowolsky and Ruth Lister; Risk and the Blair legacy ~ David Denney; Going private? ~ Mark Drakeford; Choice in public services: 'no choice but to choose' ~ Catherine Needham; The conditional welfare state ~ Peter Dwyer; The stages of New Labour ~ Ian Greener; Social Democratic reforms of the welfare state: Germany and the UK compared ~ Martin Seeleib-Kaiser; Conclusion: the Blair legacy ~ Martin Powell.
