Britain: moving towards a work and opportunity‐focused welfare state?

A major aim of the Labour Government elected in May 1997 was to change British social policy away from passive income maintenance towards promoting employment, investment and opportunity. Many of its policy initiatives bear the clear imprint of a social development model. Investment in education and health are seen as paramount, community rebuilding through partnership-based economic renewal and the promotion of social capital through neighbourhood renewal are all explicit priorities in the government's spending plans. Note: this approach to policy will continue in Britain now that Labour has been returned for a second term in the June 2001 general election.