UK: changing politics of crisis management

Book section : Chapter

This chapter shows how the UK tackled the crisis. The UK was affected early and implemented a post-crisis stimulus package quickly. But from 2010, with a new government, austerity was the watchword, with cuts in social security expenditures prioritized over tax increases. Spending on education and health was shielded, as were old-age pensioners’ benefits, but those of families with children were reduced. From 2015 a Conservative majority government continued on a similar path, though also implementing tax cuts and a higher minimum wage. Under the new Prime Minister, the aim of balancing the public finances was postponed. Initially the pain of the crisis was shared more broadly. But financial hardship increased after 2012, especially for lone parents and disabled people, and benefit cuts affected women in particular. Whilst employment has increased, recovery has been slow. It seems unlikely positive welfare state developments can be expected in the near future.

Authors: Bennett, F

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Host title: Welfare and the Great Recession: A comparative study
• Chapter number: 10
• Place of publication: Oxford and New York
• Publication date: 2019-02-19
• DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198830962.003.0010
• ISBN: 9780198830962
• Language: English
• Keywords: UK; FFR; crisis; austerity; children; hardship; slow recovery
• Subtype: Chapter