Supporting the UK's Workless - An International Comparative Perspective

Mike Danson*, Ailsa Mckay, Willie Sullivan

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    Abstract

    This chapter first presents evidence on levels of poverty, welfare support and inequality across Europe. It compares and contrasts especially the position and support for those out of or at the margins of the labour market under different welfare states to reveal the significant differences between the UK on the one hand and the Nordic and Benelux countries on the other hand. The chapter then proposes that the implications of inequalities and exclusion are of relevance to wider considerations of economic and industrial performance. Next, the chapter argues that the very high levels of poverty and inequality inherent in the neo-liberal policies of the UK cannot generate the conditions for simultaneously reducing public sector deficits and stimulating demand so that worklessness and exclusion inevitably will continue. The chapter concludes that an alternative social democratic paradigm is required based on solidarity, equity and fiscal responsibility to address this self-defeating feedback.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationNew Perspectives on Health, Disability, Welfare and the Labour Market
    PublisherWiley-Blackwell
    Pages151-173
    Number of pages23
    ISBN (Electronic)9781119145486
    ISBN (Print)9781119145516
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 7 Oct 2015

    Keywords

    • Benelux countries
    • Neo-liberal policies
    • Nordic countries
    • Social democracy
    • Social exclusion
    • Spatial inequalities
    • UK welfare policies

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Social Sciences

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