Welfare Reform on the Web (January 2003): Social Security - Overseas

CHILD POVERTY, MATERNAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

M Baker

Current Sociology, vol. 50, 2002, p.823-838

Presents results of a survey of New Zealand lone mothers in receipt of Domestic Purposes Benefit and focus groups of case managers working for the welfare department. Study found the health of lone mothers to be much poorer than married women. Combined with low levels of education, insecure employment, and transport and childcare problems, the health problems of lone mothers and their children interfere with their ability to fulfil the requirements of welfare-to-work programmes. Concludes that more social assistance is needed to support lone mothers in their efforts to find and keep a job. Without such help, up to a third of lone mothers may be unable to enter the labour market and pull their families out of poverty.

MORAL HAZARD AND DISABILITY INSURANCE: ON THE INCIDENCE OF HARD-TO-DIAGNOSE MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN THE CANADA/QUEBEC PENSION PLAN DISABILITY PROGRAM

M Campolieti

Canadian Public Policy, vol. 28, 2002, p.419-441

Paper uses aggregate data to study the effects of disability benefits and an increase in the rigour of the medical screening on the composition of the medical conditions on the C/QPP's disability rolls. Results suggest that the increased generosity of disability benefits led to an increase in the incidence of musculo-skeletal conditions on the disability rolls. However, greater rigour in the medical screening has induced a reduction in their incidence on the rolls in recent years.

POLICY PARADIGMS AND CROSS-NATIONAL POLICY (MIS) LEARNING FROM THE DANISH EMPLOYMENT MIRACLE

C A Larsen

Journal of European Public Policy, vol. 9, 2002, p.715-735

Denmark and the Netherlands are often cited as models of successful active labour market policies, which could be copied by other European countries suffering high unemployment. Author suggests that the apparently miraculous fall in unemployment may be due to rising demand during an economic boom rather than to activation measures, such as job training schemes.

SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE GLOBAL VILLAGE

R Sigg and C Behrendt (eds)

London: Transaction Publishers, 2002

Examining the new challenges for social security in an increasingly globalised world, this book analyses adjustment strategies.It looks at the common pressures of globalisation and the role of national institutional frameworks in shaping the impact of these pressures on social security.