This work seeks to explore the impact of neoliberalism and austerity politics on the role of social work and wider welfare provision. Social work has to be analysed within a social, political and economic context, and ‘political’ is used here in its broadest sense. This work examines the social, political and cultural contexts, within which, social work has developed as a profession. It is impossible to understand fully current social policy and social work organisational structures without examining their roots. This exercise not only highlights the shifts that have taken place, but also the continuities. The structure of the book mirrors this. Chapter 1 looks at the development of neoliberal ideas. These have been the most dominant in economic and political thought since the election of Margaret Thatcher's first government in May 1979. Chapter 2 examines debates about the nature of class and inequality in the UK. It argues that these are of continuing importance to social work as a profession. The profession is committed to social justice but also the majority of social work takes place with marginalised groups. Chapter 3 uses the work of contemporary critical theorists including Imogen Tyler to analyse the nature of ‘advanced marginality’ and ‘stigma’. It argues that neoliberalism has created economic conditions which serve to create spatially concentrated areas of poverty and disadvantage. These areas and their residents become stigmatised. Chapter 4 is an exploration of the welfare and penal systems during the period of neoliberalism. Chapter 5 explores contemporary social work practice in an era when inequality has become more deeply entrenched. Chapter 6 seeks to offer a new or revised model of a social state based on notions of equality, mutuality and reciprocity.

Chapter 1 considers the development of neoliberal ideas in a context of austerity. While the impact of neoliberal thinking on social policy is examined in more detail in subsequent chapters, some key themes are introduced in this chapter. One is that neoliberalism cannot be examined as a purely economic project, as the economics of neoliberalism is inextricably linked to shifts in social attitudes and cultural tropes – particularly the emphasis on individualism. These attitudes underpin a more punitive approach in social and penal policy.