Sacrificing the poor for the rich: ‘Piacular’ austerity and the need for welfare reform - Transforming Society

Sacrificing the poor for the rich: ‘Piacular’ austerity and the need for welfare reform - Transforming Society

Social security costs for Great Britain in 2024–25 are forecast to be around £303.3 billion. This represents about 10.8 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or nearly one quarter of the total government spend. It is not surprising, therefore, that the government is intent on reducing the bill. Although social security and welfare spending raises popular images of scroungers, skivers and the underserving workshy, in reality, it is comple…