Re-Doubling the Crises of the Welfare State: The impact of Brexit on UK welfare politics

Abstract

The double crisis approach distinguishes two kinds of challenge confronting modern welfare states: long-term structural problems and short-term difficulties resulting from policy choices which affect the success with which the long-term issues can be addressed. Structural challenges include two main areas: • globalisation and technological changes demanding that governments direct attention to national competitiveness, and • population ageing, requiring more spending on pensions, and health and social care. Recent policy-related problems include the austerity programme since 2010 which has been particularly directed towards benefits and services for working-age people. Responses to both kinds of challenge have set the stage for Brexit.