Special Issue
From Local Economy
In 2010, the UK’s Coalition Government published its White Paper on welfare reform. A think-tank established by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions generated documents on a number of shortcomings identified in the existing system, the proposals formed the basis for the introduction of the Welfare Reform Bill. The overriding concern with debt reduction has undoubtedly shaped the character of these reforms. Articles in this special issue consider the policies aimed to address poor incentives to work, unsustainable costs, and demonstrate an emphasis on the encouragement of desirable behaviour. The issue takes the opportunity to question both the specific character of the British reform process and the direction of reform more generally.
