ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the extent to which a principle of conditionality underpins unemployment policy in the UK. The UK legislation and initiatives outlined in this paper are clearly part of a wider, ongoing shift towards activation as increasingly the dominant understanding of welfare. The chapter discusses the policy changes, which are illustrative of a broader and substantial shift in the principles that underpin the provision of social benefits. It explains the conditionality, that lay some of an inherent contradictions at the heart of the New Labors welfare project. New Labors attempt to activate large numbers of unemployed people, disabled people and lone parents demonstrates the extent to which these groups are now conceptualized as undeserving welfare dependants unless they buy into the new work-first welfare contract that is on offer. New Labors make work pay strategy might not be the answer for many who still remain outside the paid labour market.
