The Conservative Governments and Social Policy
Edited by Hugh Bochel and Martin Powell
Published
Jan 9, 2024Page count
358 pagesISBN
978-1447365839Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Jan 9, 2024Page count
358 pagesISBN
978-1447365822Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Jan 9, 2024Page count
358 pagesISBN
978-1447365846Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Jan 9, 2024Page count
358 pagesISBN
978-1447365846Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy Press
The Conservative Governments and Social Policy
Focusing on the policy approaches of Conservative governments since 2015, this book examines key social policy areas including education, health, housing, employment, children and young people, and more.
Respected social policy researchers explore the degree to which the positions and policies of recent Conservative governments have differed from the previous Coalition government (2010–15). They consider the extent to which austerity has continued and the influence of other policy emphases, such as a ‘levelling up’ agenda. Reflecting on the rapid changes of Prime Minister, they compare the themes of the Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak administrations, critically examine the impacts of the external shocks of Brexit and COVID-19, and the changing patterns of public expenditure.
“Tracking social policies, spending and welfare state politics of Conservative governments after 2015, this excellent array of contributors bring deep expertise, insight and clarity to understanding the social policy developments of our turbulent times.” Emma Carmel, University of Bath
“This edited collection is a must read for anyone interested in the social policy pursued by successive Conservative Governments during a period of socio-economic and political crises.” Jay Wiggan, University of Edinburgh
Hugh Bochel is Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lincoln.
Martin Powell is Professor of Health and Social Policy at the Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham.
1. Introduction: The Conservative Governments From Cameron to Sunak (2015–23) – Hugh Bochel and Martin Powell
2. The Conservatives and Public Spending Since 2015 – Nick Ellison
3. Turning Up the Thermostat: The Conservatives, Social Policy and Public Opinion – Andrew Defty
4. Brexit and the Conservative Party’s Social Policies – Steven Corbett
5. The Johnson Conservative Government, Its Conservatism and the Pandemic Response – Ian Greener
6. The Governance of Social Policy Under the Conservatives – Catherine Bochel and Hugh Bochel
7. Conservative Health Policy, 2015–23 – Martin Powell
8. The Less Things Change: Conservatism, COVID-19 and Incoherence in Education Policy – Stephen J. Ball
9. Conservative Housing Policy in England – Peter Somerville
10. Social Security Policies Under the Conservatives 2015–22: Austerity, COVID-19, and the Living Cost Crisis – Stephen McKay and Karen Rowlingson
11. Labour Market Strategies and Welfare Policies: The Conservative Record – Anne Daguerre and David Etherington
12. The Conservatives and Adult Social Care – Jon Glasby
13. The Conservatives, Family Policy and the Data Revolution – Val Gillies and Rosalind Edwards
14. Troubling Social Policy During Turbulent Times: Children and UK Conservative Governments Since 2015 – Harriet Churchill
15. Conservative Criminal Justice: A Strange Rediscovery of ‘Law and Order’ Politics – Peter Squires
16. Equalities and The Conservatives: The Widening of Social Divisions – Kirstein Rummery
17. The Conservative Governments, Devolution and Social Policy – Ann Marie Gray
18. Conclusions – Hugh Bochel and Martin Powell
