Welcome to this new journal of the Social Policy Association, whose fundamental aim is to bring the study of social policy to a wider audience. It intends to mark itself out as distinct from its older sister, the Journal of Social Policy, the leading journal in the discipline, yet at the same time remain closely associated with it and complement its work. Drawing upon research and developments in all key social sciences, the journal will aim to provide an important new outlet for relevant, contemporary and stimulating articles from the specialist and non-specialist alike on a wide variety of issues concerning public and social policy. Articles can be theoretical or empirical in nature (or both) or speculative, but all will be authoritatively written.