Overview

Britain is going through the most radical upheaval of the benefits system since the 1940s. In Broken Benefits, Sam Royston argues that social security isn't working, and without a change in direction, it will be even less fair in the future.This much-needed book provides an introductory guide to social security, correcting misunderstandings and exposing poorly understood problems. It includes real-life stories, models of household budgets, projections of benefit spending, and a free online calculator showing the impact of welfare changes on personal finances: http://brokenbenefits.uk/. The book presents practical ideas of how benefits should be reformed, to create a fairer, simpler and more coherent system for the future.

Full Product Details

9781447333265

Table of Contents

Reviews

Broken Benefits gives expert, accessible exposure of social security provision in the UK - its past, its cuts, its future plans. It strongly calls for Better Benefits. Terry Patterson, National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers Invaluable: not just a clear and authoritative guide to the complex world of social security benefits, but a superb analysis of why much recent welfare reform has gone wrong and what needs to be done to get the system right for the people who rely on it. Patrick Butler, Social policy editor, The Guardian

This excellent book not only explains clearly how we got to the broken system we have, and what principles should guide its overhaul. An important book for all those making decisions about the benefits system and those hoping to influence those decisions. Naomi Eisenstadt, University of Oxford Broken Benefits gives expert, accessible exposure of social security provision in the UK - its past, its cuts, its future plans. It strongly calls for Better Benefits. Terry Patterson, National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers Invaluable: not just a clear and authoritative guide to the complex world of social security benefits, but a superb analysis of why much recent welfare reform has gone wrong and what needs to be done to get the system right for the people who rely on it. Patrick Butler, Social policy editor, The Guardian Royston's book is a very good introduction to social security policy and also a swingeing critique of the thrust of policy since 2010 Jonathan Bradshaw, University of York

Broken Benefits gives expert, accessible exposure of social security provision in the UK - its past, its cuts, its future plans. It strongly calls for Better Benefits. Terry Patterson, National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers

This excellent book not only explains clearly how we got to the broken system we have, and what principles should guide its overhaul. An important book for all those making decisions about the benefits system and those hoping to influence those decisions. Naomi Eisenstadt, University of Oxford A superb and deeply knowledgeable analysis of how our benefit system really works - and sometimes doesn't - for those in need. Benefits too often confuse, conflict, are wrongly sanctioned and wrongly denied; claiming them even leaves some people worse off. Yet a sane and decent benefit system, both for those in and out of work, is the most effective path out of poverty. Clear-eyed, compassionate and compelling, this book is a must-read, and must-keep, for all who care about the poverty and insecurity of our fellow citizens. Right Hon.Baroness Hollis of Heigham, Here is a policy expert who writes with real warmth. His plan to repair the safety net is unmissable. Rt Hon Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham Broken Benefits gives expert, accessible exposure of social security provision in the UK - its past, its cuts, its future plans. It strongly calls for Better Benefits. Terry Patterson, National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers Invaluable: not just a clear and authoritative guide to the complex world of social security benefits, but a superb analysis of why much recent welfare reform has gone wrong and what needs to be done to get the system right for the people who rely on it. Patrick Butler, Social policy editor, The Guardian Royston's book is a very good introduction to social security policy and also a swingeing critique of the thrust of policy since 2010 Jonathan Bradshaw, University of York

Author Information

Dr Sam Royston is Director of Policy and Research at The Children's Society and chair of the End Child Poverty coalition, and spends much of his time trying to make the benefits system work a little bit better for children and families. He regularly gives evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees on welfare reform issues, and his work often appears in the national press. Prior to this he worked as a welfare rights advisor, in which role he spent many frustrating days on the phone with the DWP and HMRC, trying to help fix people's broken benefits.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available