Welfare Reform on the Web (August 2009): Welfare state - UK

Social policy: themes, issues and debates. 2nd ed.

H. Bochel and others (editors)

Harlow: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2009

The book provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary British social policy, whilst acting as a complete learning resource for introductory courses and ultimately later modules of study. The text explores the major topics and areas in contemporary social policy, including health, housing, work, education, crime and criminal justice, and examines the socio-economic, political and governmental contexts within which social policy operates. It also includes extensive new material that fully addresses the historical, theoretical and contextual foundations of social policy, including a brand new discussion of the foundations of welfare and social policy. Prominence is given to contemporary issues, to provoke thought and draw comparisons between theory and practice.