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by James Bartholomew
The welfare state has been the sacred cow of British politics since the Beveridge 'reforms' were instituted by the Attlee Government at the end of the war. Although almost everyone concedes that the welfare state isn't working, most people think it just needs a thorough overhaul. This book could well shift the terms of the debate.
Bartholomew has done his homework thoroughly. He offers convincing evidence that before the first war, friendly societies and voluntary organisations provided a surprisingly effective safety-net for the working man. Starting in 1911 and even before, all these self-help measures were gradually swept away by the state-which taxed everyone, especially the working man-to pay for state-funded welfare. The extent to which this has degraded the poor is symbolised by the typical social security office, where the chairs are bolted to the floor, and officials hide behind shatterproof glass screens.
This book is as lucidly written as it is well-researched. Bartholomew offers compelling evidence that state services, including welfare, education, health, police and pensions are all in utter shambles. No one will be able to read this book and still believe that "the gentleman in Whitehall really does know best".
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