ABSTRACT
Chapter 9 examines the social construction of poverty. Isaacs argues that debates about poverty often demonizes the poor themselves, blaming them for their own circumstances, as well as sometimes wider economic and social welfare failings. The chapter moves on to analyse New Labours’ social exclusion policies and apply to the later coalition and Conservative governments. Following this a case study is undertaken around a discussion of homelessness and its relationship to issues of poverty. Isaacs maintains that, rather than being a social problem for the few, homelessness is a fundamental social issue that affects the whole of society.
