First Published in 1998

This book is concerned with the development of social security in the United Kingdom and is aimed mainly at social science students and social work students.

References to the 1930's and earlier or to social security provisions in other countries are made with the sole intention of illuminating the events that make up the central theme of the book.

The general problems affecting all social security benefits are discussed in the first four chapters while individual social security benefits are discussed in chapters five to twelve.

The final chapter examines briefly the then-present discussion on the role of the state in social security provision.