Understanding social security: Issues for policy and practice (Understanding Welfare: Social Issues, Policy and Practice)

Reform of social security and tax is at the heart of the government's vision to combat social exclusion, eradicate child poverty and move people into employment. Since 1997 there have been major changes in policy and administration, directly affecting the lives of millions of people and raising important issues of equity and social justice. This excellent introductory text provides students across a range of disciplines with an up-to-date critical analysis of these changes and their impact. It covers both social security policy and practice and addresses key issues such as:·[vbTab]tax credits·[vbTab]welfare-to-work·[vbTab]cash and care·[vbTab]fraud·[vbTab]asylum seekers and ethnic minorities·[vbTab]disability·[vbTab]the pledge to end child poverty pensionsThe book is essential reading for students of social policy, social work and sociology, as well as policy makers and practitioners in the field of social security policy.

Jane Millar, Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath