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To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-923X.2008.02038.x Byline: FRAN BENNETT (1) Author Affiliation: (1)Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Social Policy and Social Work and also works in a self-employed capacity on social policy issues, especially gender, social security and poverty.

A compilation of social policies proposed and studied in the UK's government from Feb to Apr 1999 is presented. Topics addressed include social security, heath, education, legal, environmental, and housing policies.

Reports concerning social issues that took place from Aug to Oct 1996 are presented. These issues include social security and income maintenance, health care, education, housing and environment, personal social services, law and the treatment of the offender, unemployment and the labor market, race relations, the voluntary sector, local government, gender, and demography.

Current developments and statistical information regarding social policies and services in the UK are presented. It covers the period from Nov. 1995 to Jan. 1996. The social policy-related developments that were featured include social security and income maintenance, gender, health care, education, housing and environment, local government, personal social services, law and the treatment of the offender, demography, unemployment and the labor market, race relations and the voluntary sector.

Universal Credit has been rolled out gradually in the United Kingdom since 2013 as one integrated means‐tested benefit replacing six different transfers with a single monthly payment. Previously, these benefits were awarded for distinct purposes and, for couples who claimed them, were potentially payable to different partners. Concerns about Universal Credit's single payment include the opportunities it may create for facilitating domestic abuse, the fostering of more unequal power relations within couples, the reduction of financial autonomy for individuals, and the de‐labelling of benefit payments. This article explores debates about the prospects for individual payments to partners in couples of Universal Credit as a jointly assessed integrated means‐tested benefit, including different approaches emerging from the United Kingdom's devolved governments (mainly Scotland and Northern Ireland). Whilst payment to each partner is likely to be more feasible where there are separate rather than integrated means‐tested benefits, it concludes that genuine financial autonomy for partners in couples is best pursued via individually based non‐means‐tested benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1990s, international social science research has made a major contribution to the evidence base on changing family forms and household structures by collecting and processing data about family composition, dissolution and reconstitution, as well as household living, working and caring arrangements. Social scientists have exploited the available data to analyse the social, economic and financial impacts of family change on relations between the generations and their implications for policy. This article explores the varied conceptual understandings of family, household and generation. It reviews international socio-demographic data that track trends in family relations and identifies the contributions of different disciplinary perspectives to the evidence base. The authors consider intergenerational relations both within families and in wider society, covering property, finances, care and value systems, in addition to public policies determining the provision of benefits, goods and services supporting family life. They highlight the challenges facing social scientists in collecting and evaluating evidence about changing intergenerational relations and in assessing policy responses. Acknowledging that many factors contribute to policy development and implementation, they conclude by recognising the extent to which governments in different societal contexts vary in their responses to apparently similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is frequent confusion in public debate and media stories between low pay and in‐work poverty. Fran Bennett argues that a focus on gender roles and relationships, and gendered access to resources, is essential to unpick the distinction between these two problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universal Credit is a major change in the UK's social security system which will affect around eight million households by replacing six existing means-tested benefits and tax credits with a single benefit, based on income, assets and circumstances, and paid monthly. Much commentary about Universal Credit has supported the principle but raised concerns about delivery. This consensus about the principles and the focus on delivery have resulted in less attention being paid to key policy choices informing the design. This article examines two aspects of the design of Universal Credit: the aim to make Universal Credit as much ‘like work’ as possible, and the architecture of the means test. The focus here is the gap between the assumptions underlying the design of Universal Credit, on the one hand, and the research evidence about life on a low income, and in low-waged and often insecure employment, on the other. Finally, we discuss the most significant contradiction between the ‘transformational’ aim for Universal Credit, to help people achieve greater ‘independence’ from the state, and the realities of deepening and widening control of claimants’ lives. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The UK government has been considering the design and delivery of the proposed “universal credit”, the centerpiece of its welfare reforms. The authors draw on findings from their own research, about how low/moderate-income couples manage money and negotiate gender roles, to demonstrate their relevance to exploring the gender implications of the proposals for universal credit. Findings from this and other similar studies are used to explore the value of qualitative research to policy design and debates – in particular to supplement economic modeling, which has been highly influential in driving the current UK government's thinking on welfare reform. The authors discuss the reasons why insights about gender relations within the household revealed by such qualitative research appear to have been resisted in the reform. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The ‘living wage’ is an idea with a long history in the UK currently enjoying a renaissance. This article explores possible reasons for its re-emergence as a policy demand, but argues that thinking of low pay primarily as ‘poverty pay’ caused by employers’ failure to pay a living wage raises practical and conceptual issues that are problematic. It examines to what extent recent attempts to resolve such issues in the UK and elsewhere have succeeded, and concludes by suggesting that alternative ways of analysing and addressing the two key issues associated with the living wage, low pay and in work poverty, are required. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The ‘unitary household’ lives on in policymakers’ assumptions about couples sharing their finances. Yet financial autonomy is seen as a key issue in gender relations, particularly for women. This article draws on evidence from semi-structured individual interviews with men and women in thirty low-/moderate-income couples in Britain. The interviews explored whether financial autonomy had any meaning to these individuals; and, if so, to what extent this was gendered in the sense of there being differences in men's and women's understanding of it. We develop a framework for the investigation of financial autonomy, involving several dimensions: achieving economic independence, having privacy in one's financial affairs and exercising agency in relation to household and/or personal spending. We argue that financial autonomy is a relevant issue for low-/moderate-income couples, and that women are more conscious of tensions between financial togetherness and autonomy due to their greater responsibility for managing togetherness and lower likelihood of achieving financial independence. Policymakers should therefore not discount the aspirations of women in particular for financial autonomy, even in low-/moderate-income couples where there remain significant obstacles to achieving this. Yet plans for welfare reform that rely on means testing and ignore intra-household dynamics in relation to family finances threaten to exacerbate these obstacles and reinforce a unitary family model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article describes what constitutes a living wage in Great Britain. The Living Wage Foundation reported about 10,000 London residents having gained a living wage of 8.30 pounds per hour since 2001 with public sector employers, private businesses and educational establishments leading the groups fostering said wage. Low pay is distinguished from in-work poverty as unequal rewards for work done while the latter pertains to households thriving on low incomes and which have at least one earner.

Following the confusion that has surrounded the Chancellor's announcement on cuts to child benefit for higher-rate taxpayers, defends the existing benefit as simple, successful and fair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the Transformational Government initiative, enabled by information and communications technology (ICT)? We describe its development, origins and prospects in seeking to join up public services to give simple, seamless, one-off access channels for citizens. We look at its governance and working structures, examining how ICT has been used to move towards common infrastructures and approaches in public services, bringing new potential for holistic service delivery. Finally, we show how transformational government has moved on from e-government, noting some risks that may affect its implementation. We note some particular issues affecting local government throughout the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child Poverty Action Group opposes the reduction or abolition of unemployment benefit. The rate is not generous or universally applied. The self-employed are ineligible and married women often fail to qualify. The press has reported a possible reduction of benefit to six months. Restricting entitlement and tightening conditions for receipt of benefit would cause economic hardship.

The UK Child Support Act which comes into force in Apr 1993 will result in hardship for many single parents. Under the Act the absent parent has to pay the carer a full allowance until the youngest child is 16 years old. Income support will be discontinued which means that many will be worse off because of the loss of free school meals. Resentment may be caused between the 2 separate parents because 1 is reliant on the other for financial support. When an ex-husband remarries he and his new partner is liable to pay the ex-wife 9/10ths of maintenance payments.

Sixteen-year olds and 17-year olds in the UK are not entitled to unemployment benefit after leaving school. They are expected to be in education, employment or on youth training schemes. Youth training schemes are failing in many parts of the UK causing financial difficulty for many. Parents can claim child benefit for up to 4 months after a child has left school. After this extension period youngsters who have already had a job can claim 15 pounds sterling a week for up to 8 weeks. Severe hardship payments are also available but are discretionary and not widespread.

The article presents digest of social policies issued in Great Britain from February to April 2002. The article covers contents in "Social Policy Digest," for the period February to April 2002, written by Fran Bennnett with Ken Jones. The topics covered were social security and income maintenance, health, education, housing and environment, personal social services, law and the treatment of the offender, unemployment and the labor market, race relations, the voluntary sector, government, gender and sexuality and demography. Statistics quoted relate to Great Britain as a whole, years referred to are either a calendar year or reporting year to March 31 and percentage changes are based on annual comparisons. Income support claimants totaled 3.95 million, up 1.9 per cent. An above-inflation increase was announced in funding for community care grants in the discretionary social fund. The government must overhaul the social fund if it is to meet its target of eradicating child poverty.

This article focuses on social policies related to social security and income maintenance, health, education, housing and environment, personal social services, law and the treatment of the offender, unemployment and the labour market, race relations, the voluntary sector, government (formerly local government), gender and demography. Some of the developments related to social security and income maintenance are that official figures showed income inequality increased in 1999-2000. A report suggests increasing inheritance and income tax to achieve genuine meritocracy. Pensioners received benefit increases above inflation as a "transition" to pension credit. The Pension Provision Group has criticised the pension credit and stakeholder pensions for undermining incentives to save. Developments related to the field of health care are that medical and dental staff in England grew by 23 per cent from 1990-2000. And in an experiment, some hospitals cancelling operations will have to pay for alternative treatment.

This article focuses on several issues related to social policy in Great Britain. The Cabinet Office published a report on rural life. A report suggests a nationwide focus on young people, not confined to deprived areas. A study showed the north-south divide widening in the 1990s. The government published revised proposals for assisted areas for European Union funding. Most national insurance benefits increased by 1.1 per cent from April, and most means-tested benefits by 1.6 per cent. In November 1999, there were 3.84 million income support claimants (means-tested jobseeker's allowance claimants shown separately), the same as in August. In August 1999, just over 6 million people of working age (17 per cent) claimed a key benefit, nearly a million fewer than in 1996. The Budget included a cut in the basic income tax rate by 1 penny, to 22 pence, significant increases in lower and upper earnings limits for national insurance contributions, and the extension of the 10 pence income tax rate to savings income.

Argues for genuinely participatory approaches to the development of indicators of poverty and social exclusion. Need to focus not only on what is measured, but on who decides which indicators are important; United Nations Human Development Reports; Lessons the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development can learn from debates in developing countries.

The article presents information related to social policy. The topics included are social security and income maintenance, health care, education, housing and environment, personal social services, law and the treatment of the offender, unemployment and the labor market, race relations, voluntary sector, local government, gender and demography. A review of new research finds that income inequality in Great Britain narrowed slightly in the early to mid 1990's, but was still much greater than in any. previous post-war decade. The Green Paper on public health replaces twenty-seven targets with four with a similar Green Paper for Scotland. The government is consulting on a new regulatory regime for education and lay care. An advisory panel on sustainable development throws doubt on forecasts of 4.4 million new homes needed by 2016. A Bill guaranteeing help with residential care costs for people with limited assets had a third reading. The government released additional funding for the record prison population. Employment Service performance targets emphasize helping people disadvantaged in the labor market move from welfare to work.

The article presents information on a variety of issues related to social policies. Some of the subjects briefed in the article include--social security and income maintenance, health care, education, personal social services, law and the treatment of the offender, race relations, gender and demography. The brief on social security informs that a longitudinal study of marital breakdown found significant decreases in income for separating wives and children, with husbands faring less badly. A new chief executive was appointed to the Child Support Agency, and the independent case examiner started work. The brief on health care informs that the Conservative manifesto promised to increase spending on the National Health Service in real terms year on year, and to promote the Private Finance Initiative. A Green Paper set out options for mental health services, including joint mental health plans by health and local authorities and the creation of specialized authorities. A bulletin on patients formally detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 in England between 1990-91 and 1995-96 showed formal admissions to all facilities rising by 45 per cent, to 27,500 in 1995-96.

The article reviews several websites including the Social Policy Digest, located at www.journals.cambridge.org/spd/action/home, from the UK Social Policy Association, the Society Central, located at www.societycentral.ac.uk/2012/12/03/measuringpoverty-families, from the organization Society Central, and the Poverty Digest, located at www.poverty.co.uk, from Great Britain's Economic and Social Research Council.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the poverty and social justice in China, the migration of Chinese workers from rural to urban areas, and the cash transfer programme in the country.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the 1911 National Insurance Act, the attempt of the National Insurance principle and the contingencies covered by insurance.

There are many debates about individualisation. In this section of the journal we are most concerned to probe the nature of the concept itself and how it is gendered, and the extent to which ideas about individualisation are underpinning the extensive restructuring of social provision that has been going on in welfare states during the last decade. As a set of processes, individualisation has major implications for family formation, labour supply and gender equality. There is some evidence that policymakers' assumptions about the progress of individualisation are outrunning changes in behaviour on the part of both men and women, with particularly serious implications for women. There is also some evidence that other policy developments may lag behind women's aspirations for greater autonomy or impede their efforts to achieve greater economic independence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses various topics published within the issue, including one by Shoshana Pollack on the impact of social assistance policies on female lone parents in Canada and another by Sarah dickens, Martin Mitchell and William O'Connor on the status of same-sex couples in the European Union.

The article presents information on the Social Policy Digest. The Social Policy Digest went online in the summer of 2003. This means that the Digest, which used to be printed as part of the Journal of Social Policy, is now only available via the web. The Digest provides a summary of current policy developments and research findings across the whole range of social policy fields, such as poverty and social security, education, health, housing, social services and the labor market. Cross-cutting subject areas include children and the family, disability, gender, mental health, old age, race/ethnicity and young people. There are also separate groupings for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Going online has allowed a range of improvements to the Digest. It now carries nearly twice the number of entries each month as before, and for each entry there are hyperlinks to key source documents. Entries go back as far as May 2002. By the end of 2003 there were already over 1,000 entries in total on the site.

Readers will be aware that one of the Journal of Social Policy's regular features, the Social Policy Digest, is being re-launched as a Web-based publication. The rapid growth of the Internet in recent years has led to a revolution in the way information is published. Most source material used for the Digest, including nearly all government publications, is now accessible online. It has been clear for some time that the Digest needs to change to keep pace with these developments. The scope and purpose of the Digest, to keep users informed about significant current developments in the social policy field, will remain unchanged. However, it is hoped that the new Web site format will enable a greatly enhanced service to all Social Policy Association members. A further benefit is that space will be released within the Journal of Social Policy itself for additional articles. One of the major benefits of the new site is that it will allow users to link directly to source materials on other Web sites. This will very often mean direct access to an original document, and/or a summary of it.

The article reviews the Social Policy Digest, an online resource providing listings of developments across social policy issues.

The Social Policy Digest is a major online resource providing up-to-date listings of developments across the whole range of social policy issues - including links to source materials and related commentaries. The Digest is published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Social Policy Association. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Social Policy Digest is a major online resource providing up-to-date listings of developments across the whole range of social policy issues – including links to source materials and related commentaries. The Digest is published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Social Policy Association. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor mentions an article on Great Britain's labour market policy by Daniel Clegg, social inequality by Steve McKay, and the discussion on the impact of benefits system and tax on second earners by Susan Harkness and Martin Evans.

The article presents information about the availability of journal resources online. Particular attention is paid to the development of the online journal into a web-based resource on social policy issues in Great Britain. Details about the journal's web site design and improved functionality are provided.

The article announces that the Social Policy Digest is no longer in the print edition of "Journal of Social Policy" but is available online to the journal's institutional and individual subscribers. The link to the Digest's web site and to a letter issued by the Cambridge University Press are mentioned.

The article reports on the online availability of the Social Policy Digest. It offers a summary of current policy developments and research findings related to social policy which include poverty, social security, education, and others. Benefits of going online include increase in the number of entries each month, hyperlinks to key source documents and others. Both individual and institutional subscribers of the "Journal of Social Policy" can access the Digest wherein access will be offered through its online journals system. Steps on how to access the Digest independently is also included.

The article provides information on the online version of "Social Policy Digest." The publication provides a summary of current policy developments and research findings across the whole range of social policy fields, such as poverty and social security, education, health, housing, social services and labor market. The online access to the digest is made available to institutional and individual subscribers of the "Journal of Social Policy." The "Digest" website will be further improved by the Cambridge University Press.