How Social Security Works: An Introduction to Benefits in Britain

Social security is a difficult subject. The British system is highly complex, and the details change rapidly. This new textbook is an accessible, broadly based introduction which helps readers to make sense of the system in Britain. Including a broad scope of coverage and accessibility, the book plays a dual role as a preface to both the existing texts on social security policy and the guides on social security benefits. It also looks at the operation of social security benefits. How Social Security Works describes benefits in general terms, as well as the relationship to the welfare state and aspects of the sociology of benefits. Clearly and succinctly, the book lays out the aims, structure, delivery of Britain's main benefits system. It outlines the development of the system, considering the history and political dimensions, and includes a thematic discussion of the main types of benefit: national insurance, means tested, non-contributory, universal, and discretionary; and it conside