The United Kingdom: new devolved welfare systems in Britain

This chapter examines welfare developments in the United Kingdom (UK) and the changing British welfare state. It begins with a brief historical overview before moving on to consider social reforms in the 1998–2018 period and the devolution of welfare in Britain. The chapter looks at the general structures of the British welfare system as a whole, in terms of social spending levels and societal outcomes for poverty and inequality. It then examines the following policy areas in more detail: social assistance, old-age and pensions policy, labour market policy, family policy, health and social care, housing, and education. It also reviews the continuities and discontinuities, changing policy paradigms, and ideas underpinning the social reform agenda. The chapter also reflects on welfare trajectories now that the UK (as a whole) has voted to leave the EU. It is significant that while England and Wales voted for Brexit, Scotland and Northern Ireland voted Remain.