How social security works

Paul Spicker is Grampian Chair of Public Policy at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. In 2007 he was a special adviser to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee for their report on the simplification of social security benefits. His previous books with The Policy Press include 'Policy analysis for practice' (2006), 'Liberty, equality, fraternity' (2006), 'The idea of poverty' (2007) and 'Social policy: Themes and approaches' (2008).

• Part one: Introductory principles: What is social security?; Social security and the welfare state; Social security and society; Part two: The development of the system: The origins of social security in the UK; The politics of social security; A unified system?; Part three: Benefits: National Insurance; Means tested benefits I: the basic minimum; Means testing II: income supplements; The provision of non-contributory benefits; Discretionary benefits; Universal benefits; Claiming benefits; Understanding complexity; Part four: The principal contingencies: Pensioners; Benefits for people with disabilities; Incapacity; Children and families; Lone parents; Unemployed people; Benefits for the poor; Part five: Issues in social security policy: The cost of social security; Targeting; Fraud and abuse; Responding to poverty; Social security and redistribution; How social security in Britain compares to other countries.

"Overall the book is extensive, clear, accessible and engaging. It is both through provoking and informative and will no doubt be a key text for students and others engaged with the social security system." Lee Gregory, University of Cardiff