ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the policies enacted by United Kingdom (UK) governments ostensibly to improve population well-being, including transfers and tax expenditures, and services like health and social care, social housing and education. It considers the broad range of government activities in the provision of social policy, including cases where government is no longer the sole provider of welfare services. The chapter also considers the development of social policy in the UK. It sets out some broad trends in social policy through the 1980s—2010s and considers the UK in its international context. The chapter focuses on detail developments in core areas including pensions; benefits for unemployed, low-income and disabled people; health and social care; housing; and education. It concludes with a consideration of key challenges for social policy in the UK, including the impact of demographic change and the 2016 referendum on European Union membership.
