TY - JOUR
T1 - Squaring the circle? Means testing and individualisation in the UK and Australia
AU - Millar, Jane
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - As means-tested benefits have come to occupy a more central place in the UK system of income transfers, so the goal of an individualised system seems to have receded. However, there is also a developing policy interest in the situation and status of the individual in the social welfare system. Individual assessment of labour market circumstances is central to the New Deal programmes, and the ‘partners’ of those receiving social security benefits have become a target group for policy in their own right. This article outlines the policy issues, describes the measures that have been introduced so far, compares these with the Australian moves towards ‘partial individualisation’, and discusses some key issues in the reform agenda.
AB - As means-tested benefits have come to occupy a more central place in the UK system of income transfers, so the goal of an individualised system seems to have receded. However, there is also a developing policy interest in the situation and status of the individual in the social welfare system. Individual assessment of labour market circumstances is central to the New Deal programmes, and the ‘partners’ of those receiving social security benefits have become a target group for policy in their own right. This article outlines the policy issues, describes the measures that have been introduced so far, compares these with the Australian moves towards ‘partial individualisation’, and discusses some key issues in the reform agenda.
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1474746403001507
U2 - 10.1017/S1474746403001507
DO - 10.1017/S1474746403001507
M3 - Article
SN - 1474-7464
VL - 3
SP - 67
EP - 74
JO - Social Policy and Society
JF - Social Policy and Society
IS - 1
ER -