Introduction

This chapter will explore the different but interconnecting facets of insecurity in contemporary Britain; how political and ideological decision making has increased insecurity by introducing policies of welfare conditionality; and the impact this has had on those needing support. The chapter ends with a consideration of social work's role in supporting individuals, families and groups to manage living with insecurity. This chapter combines a range of issues not often considered together, for example, housing and welfare policy alongside fuel and food poverty. This is an intentional combination that aims to highlight the impact that policies of conditionality across the spectrum of welfare provision have on individuals and families. Often, those experiencing one of these issues are also experiencing multiple disadvantages as a result of welfare reform.

It is important that we first consider what we mean by insecurity in relation to social welfare. ‘Insecurity’ is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as ‘the state of being open to danger or threat; lack of protection’ (Oxford Dictionary online). It is poignant, then, that this term is now used to describe the danger or threat of not having substantial warmth, food, work, money or accommodation. The precarity of living in such insecure circumstances can be linked to the increase in welfare conditionality, defined as the belief that

In this chapter we will examine the relationship between growing insecurity and welfare conditionality, and the ideological beliefs underpinning the implementation of policies that reinforce this strategy.

Austerity, the Coalition government and the Conservative agenda

Following the global financial crisis of 2008, triggered by the collapse of the American investment bank Lehman Brothers, a number of austerity measures were introduced in the UK.