Richard Silburn

British social welfare in the twentieth century

Tables.- Acknowledgements.- Contributors.- Introduction R.L.Silburn.- PART ONE: THE CENTURY SURVEYOR.- The Twentieth Century: An Overview J.Stewart.- Paying for Welfare in the Twentieth Century J.Tomlinson.- PART TWO: POLITICAL IDEAS.- Neoclassicism, The New Right and British Social Welfare N.Barry.- New Liberalism and the Middle Way, R.Pinker.- Democratic Socialism and Social Policy M.Sullivan.- PART THREE: WELFARE AND THE STATE.- Education M.Sanderson.- Health H.Jones.- Employment, Unemployment and the Labour Market S.Glynn.- Poverty and Social Security P.Alcock.- Housing N.Ginsburg.- PART FOUR: WELFARE OUTSIDE THE STATE.- Voluntary and Informal Welfare J.Lewis.- Commercial and Occupational Welfare M.May & E.Brunsdon.- PART FIVE: THE FUTURE.- The Prospects for Social Welfare at the Millennium R.Page.- Bibliography.- Index.

Delivering social services at local level—Will reorganization matter?

It seems clear that the proposed reform of local government will have a variety of impacts on the delivery of welfare services. In this article, however, the authors contend that it would be inappropriate to place too much emphasis on such changes. Flexibility of provision and an adequate level of response are two key aspects which need to be safeguarded in any new structure. It is uncertain, on present evidence, whether the reform of local authorities will ensure either of these.