Description

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In this thought-provoking book, Paul Spicker challenges us to rethink social security benefits. Focusing on the UK system, he puts forward a case for reform, arguing that most of the criticisms made of social security benefits—that spending is out of control, that it has led to mushrooming dependency, that it fails to get people into work, and that the system is riddled with fraud—are ill-conceived. Addressing these misconceptions, Spicker assesses the real problems with the system, problems that derive from its size, its complexity, the expectation that benefits agencies should know everything, and the determination to personalize benefits for millions of people. But more than this, Spicker’s stimulating introduction to social security in Britain outlines the potential for its reform.

About the Author

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Paul Spicker is the Grampian Chair of Public Policy at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. He is the author of many books, including Reclaiming Individualism: Perspectives on Public Policy and Social Policy: Theory and Practice, both published by Policy Press, and he also writes on social security and social policy at blog.spicker.uk.

Praise For…

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"There are few people who know more about the benefits system than Spicker, and it is a pleasure to have so much of his wisdom packaged in this short and cheap paperback."
— Citizen's Income Trust

"This book provides an incisive description of the real problems of the current system, what social security is for, and considers the possibilities of some alternative systems."
— Gareth Morgan, Ferret Information Systems

“Social security may be complicated but Spicker’s critical overview is clearly written, appropriately trenchant, and thoughtfully provocative: a good read.”
— John Ditch, honorary professor at the University of York

"At last some sense about social security. Spicker is a brave and independent voice. But with deep knowledge. Listen to him."
— Jonathan Bradshaw, University of York