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Kavanagh et al: British Politics 5e

Chapter 27

The welfare state

The Department for Work and Pensions
www.dwp.gov.uk/
The Department for Work and Pensions was created in June 2001 and is responsible for many of the policy areas considered in this chapter. It is a simple and well laid out site which provides both practical information for those who need to use its services alongside more policy orientated material. It is to these resources that you are best advised to turn by clicking on 'Resource Centre' at the top of the homepage.

Sure Start
www.surestart.gov.uk/
One of the key initiatives undertaken by the current Labour government is its Sure Start programme which is fundamental to its ambitious plans to eradicate child poverty by 2020. The programme has drawn a substantial commitment of resources and is emblematic of New Labour's insistence on 'joined up' policy-making with the involvement of many different agencies. Nevertheless, it has also proven controversial in terms of whether it is likely to prove effective in reducing child poverty. You can begin to explore these issues by reviewing the descriptions of the programme and publications available on the site.

The Pensions Commission
www.pensionscommission.org.uk/
The Turner Commission was established to make recommendations on UK pensions policy in the light of a perceived 'demographic time-bomb'. It reported in December 2005 with proposals that appeared to divide the Prime Minister and Chancellor. On the website you can find out more about the Commission and download the final report which will give you a clear insight into some of the dilemmas policy-makers confront when attempting to reform the Welfare State.

BBC: In Depth – Breadline Britain
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/business/2005/breadline_britain/default.stm
A section of the BBC's website established on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Attlee Government's welfare settlement. Although there is some material on health, the bulk of the material are focused on how the welfare state has dealt with the problem of poverty. Here you find historical overviews of efforts to tackle poverty alongside up to date material on welfare reform.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
www.jrf.org.uk/
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is a charitable foundation which is dedicated to commissioning research into social policy in the United Kingdom. As such, this website provides an excellent distillation of the research findings of these projects. The search facilities allow you to identify particular resources, but there is much to be said for browsing the publications, where you will find that the vast majority of books and reports are available for free download in Adobe Acrobat format.