Work

Tackling Poverty Across the United Kingdom. Devolution, Difference and Discourse

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The UK welfare state is often considered as being highly centralised, yet the design and administration of UK social security involves significant spatial variations in law, policy, and practice. As such, where you live in the UK can affect the value of benefits and cash transfers you are entitled to, as well as how you experience benefit administration. In this article we advocate for greater consideration of spatial variations in social security and draw attention to existing policy differences in the devolved nations and across localities. The article explores policy discourse and design differences to identify competing narratives and to encourage greater consideration of spatial policy developments in social security. Drawing attention to the Safety Nets research project, it argues that a better understanding of the causes and outcomes of spatial variation in social security provision is necessary in the context of governance reforms to increase devolution and decentralistion including the rise of mayoral regions in England.

Source: IPPR Progressive Review

DOI: 10.1111/newe.70000

Authors: Ruth Patrick, Hayley Bennett, John Hudson, Mark Simpson

Institutions: University of York, University of Edinburgh, University of Ulster, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry Campus

Language: English

Topic: Social Policy and Reform Studies

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,140