The Maastricht Treaty's impact on the welfare state

Abstract

A central theme of contemporary political and economic debate is the relationship between Britain and the European Union (EU). The most recent and controversial development has been. the evolution towards closer integration within the EU, culminating in the Maastricht Treaty signed in December 1991. This imposed a new dimension of EU control over a nation's economic and political independence. The key economic criteria for convergence towards economic and monetary union concerns the ability of governments to determine their own budgetary policy. This paper addresses the possible consequences for Britain's welfare state provision in light of the government debt ratio criteria specified in the Maastricht Treaty. Our conclusion suggests, at the present time at least, that continued commitment to comprehensive health, education and social security provision is incompatible with the attainment of such criteria. © 1994, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.