ABSTRACT
The rise of the welfare state, with its accompanying concept of the social wage, is undoubtedly one of the distinct features of the extension of state activity in post-war Britain. Through areas such as health, education and social services, the state has sought to develop the individual citizen and to protect him from misfortune. In Marxist terms, 1 the state has played (and still does) a major role in aiding the reproduction of labour. A detailed analysis of all the changes in the welfare field, particularly those in the health and education services, is beyond the scope of this chapter. Nevertheless, many of the changes that have taken place in the politics of the personal social services apply also in part to most, if not all, the welfare services. 2
