ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors focus on the adequacy of the level of social security benefits, and measure the existing benefit levels against those identified by Seebohm Rowntree. There are three reasons for adopting the historical approach. First, in the context of this centenary, it is of historical interest to see how much the 'poorer than workhouse' diet of a century ago would cost today. Second, given the debates over the reform of the Welfare State, the current cost of the dietary prescribed at the inception of the Welfare State should be an element in those debates. Third, it is sometimes easier to understand the implications of over-time trends than to agree on the assumptions implicit in a budget standard. Some budget studies have been used primarily to demonstrate what an inadequate income looks like. All the budgets are developed as a comment on policies towards income redistribution and welfare.
