The growth of wage supplementation through in-work benefits and tax credits has been one of the m... more The growth of wage supplementation through in-work benefits and tax credits has been one of the most fundamental recent developments in the UK social security system. Broad statements of policy aims such as ‘making work pay’ and providing ‘support for work’ are superficially simple and clear. In practice, however, they cover a complex variety of goals and policy instruments. This article outlines the main policy measures introduced since 1997, discusses the different policy goals and highlights some of the major limitations of the current policy approach.
Over the past two decades, the emphasis on paid work has become one of the defining features of s... more Over the past two decades, the emphasis on paid work has become one of the defining features of social security policy in the UK. Lone mothers and their families have been one of the key groups affected. In this article we focus on the working and family lives of lone mothers and their children over time, drawing on material from a long-term qualitative research study, and setting this in the context of policy developments. We explore the long-term consequences of trying to sustain work, and manage low-income family life as children grow up and needs change over time. This highlights some of the tensions and limitations in family support and relationships when resources are limited. We reflect on the links between insecurity, legacies and the state.
This article examines the challenges in designing income-tested benefits for people of working ag... more This article examines the challenges in designing income-tested benefits for people of working age. This is particularly difficult in the context of changing patterns of work and volatility in earnings and income. Matching benefits to needs requires timely assessment and payment. We compare the treatment of timing issues in the working-age welfare systems of the United Kingdom and Australia. The article discusses how these different but similar systems deal with the timing of income receipt and benefit adjustment, problems of overpayment and debt, and draws out some lessons for the design of income-tested provisions.
Most lone mothers are employed and must manage work and family life,often on a low income, for lo... more Most lone mothers are employed and must manage work and family life,often on a low income, for long periods of time. This research providesnew evidence on what this means for these families, with data drawn fromin-depth interviews with lone mothers and with their children four timesover a period of around 14 to 15 years.The report considers:• the experiences of lone mothers in sustaining work over time;• the importance of family relationships in enabling and supporting lone mothers in work;• the experience and contribution of children in helping their mothers to manage;• the challenging nature of transitions away from the parental home and into work for young people;• the importance of state support for the mothers, but the reduced support available to the young people;• the difficulties in embedding security over time.
Qualitative longitudinal research can make a distinctive contribution to policy discussions and t... more Qualitative longitudinal research can make a distinctive contribution to policy discussions and to the assessment of outcomes. This article draws on research with lone-parent families over fifteen years to illustrate how change and continuity can look different over shorter and longer time periods, to discuss presenting longitudinal qualitative evidence through the selection of case studies, and to explore some of the challenges of engaging in policy debates with qualitative data.
The status of women in China has deteriorated markedly since 2006 relative to other countries, ac... more The status of women in China has deteriorated markedly since 2006 relative to other countries, according to the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index. Taking a longer view, the position of women has greatly improved since the founding of the People’s Republic of China but, after the ‘opening up’ of the economy, the logic of the market and the legacy of patriarchy have worked to the detriment of women. After briefly reviewing trends in China’s economic, demographic and social development, this editorial follows the structure of the thematic issue in focusing on the processes which may have caused women to slip behind. Socio-economic and political factors are considered first before focusing on the impact of unprecedently large scale migration. The circumstances and experiences of women ‘left outside’ mainstream society are explored next before reflecting on the lives of women left behind in poverty.
The level of government financial support for British working families is falling, with substanti... more The level of government financial support for British working families is falling, with substantial cuts in benefits, tax credits, services and public sector jobs expected as the government seeks to reduce the financial deficit as quickly as possible. The nature of that financial support is also likely to change radically. But if benefits for working families are lower, then it is all the more important that the support available is reliable, stable and secure. Providing security should be a guiding principle for future policy.
The growth of wage supplementation through in-work benefits and tax credits has been one of the m... more The growth of wage supplementation through in-work benefits and tax credits has been one of the most fundamental recent developments in the UK social security system. Broad statements of policy aims such as ‘making work pay’ and providing ‘support for work’ are superficially simple and clear. In practice, however, they cover a complex variety of goals and policy instruments. This article outlines the main policy measures introduced since 1997, discusses the different policy goals and highlights some of the major limitations of the current policy approach.
Over the past two decades, the emphasis on paid work has become one of the defining features of s... more Over the past two decades, the emphasis on paid work has become one of the defining features of social security policy in the UK. Lone mothers and their families have been one of the key groups affected. In this article we focus on the working and family lives of lone mothers and their children over time, drawing on material from a long-term qualitative research study, and setting this in the context of policy developments. We explore the long-term consequences of trying to sustain work, and manage low-income family life as children grow up and needs change over time. This highlights some of the tensions and limitations in family support and relationships when resources are limited. We reflect on the links between insecurity, legacies and the state.
This article examines the challenges in designing income-tested benefits for people of working ag... more This article examines the challenges in designing income-tested benefits for people of working age. This is particularly difficult in the context of changing patterns of work and volatility in earnings and income. Matching benefits to needs requires timely assessment and payment. We compare the treatment of timing issues in the working-age welfare systems of the United Kingdom and Australia. The article discusses how these different but similar systems deal with the timing of income receipt and benefit adjustment, problems of overpayment and debt, and draws out some lessons for the design of income-tested provisions.
Most lone mothers are employed and must manage work and family life,often on a low income, for lo... more Most lone mothers are employed and must manage work and family life,often on a low income, for long periods of time. This research providesnew evidence on what this means for these families, with data drawn fromin-depth interviews with lone mothers and with their children four timesover a period of around 14 to 15 years.The report considers:• the experiences of lone mothers in sustaining work over time;• the importance of family relationships in enabling and supporting lone mothers in work;• the experience and contribution of children in helping their mothers to manage;• the challenging nature of transitions away from the parental home and into work for young people;• the importance of state support for the mothers, but the reduced support available to the young people;• the difficulties in embedding security over time.
Qualitative longitudinal research can make a distinctive contribution to policy discussions and t... more Qualitative longitudinal research can make a distinctive contribution to policy discussions and to the assessment of outcomes. This article draws on research with lone-parent families over fifteen years to illustrate how change and continuity can look different over shorter and longer time periods, to discuss presenting longitudinal qualitative evidence through the selection of case studies, and to explore some of the challenges of engaging in policy debates with qualitative data.
The status of women in China has deteriorated markedly since 2006 relative to other countries, ac... more The status of women in China has deteriorated markedly since 2006 relative to other countries, according to the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index. Taking a longer view, the position of women has greatly improved since the founding of the People’s Republic of China but, after the ‘opening up’ of the economy, the logic of the market and the legacy of patriarchy have worked to the detriment of women. After briefly reviewing trends in China’s economic, demographic and social development, this editorial follows the structure of the thematic issue in focusing on the processes which may have caused women to slip behind. Socio-economic and political factors are considered first before focusing on the impact of unprecedently large scale migration. The circumstances and experiences of women ‘left outside’ mainstream society are explored next before reflecting on the lives of women left behind in poverty.
The level of government financial support for British working families is falling, with substanti... more The level of government financial support for British working families is falling, with substantial cuts in benefits, tax credits, services and public sector jobs expected as the government seeks to reduce the financial deficit as quickly as possible. The nature of that financial support is also likely to change radically. But if benefits for working families are lower, then it is all the more important that the support available is reliable, stable and secure. Providing security should be a guiding principle for future policy.
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