Kent policy expert predicts UK will spend less than US on welfare

Professor Peter Taylor-Gooby, an expert in social policy at the University, has today (20 November) suggested that Coalition spending plans will lead to ‘rapid and continuing’ cuts in the welfare state.

Giving the lead presentation to the opening session of the Fabian Society's Commission on Public Spending Choices (chaired by Lord John McFall, previously chair of the House of Commons Treasury Committee) at the House of Commons, Professor Taylor-Gooby said: ‘My research shows how the public spending plans of the Coalition will lead to rapid and continuing contraction of the British welfare state.

‘Public spending in Britain, already below the level of spending in Greece, is expected on current trends to fall further, below that in the US and Spain by 2016. The only other developed countries embarking on cutback programmes on this scale are those forced to as a condition of EU/IMF loans.

‘The cutbacks in public services necessary to achieve these cuts are on a scale not seen for at least 90 years. It is unclear whether they are sustainable.'

Peter Taylor-Gooby is Professor of Social Policy, based within the University’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research.

Contact: M.J.Herrema@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 11:58am 22 November 2012