27:1 issue contents - Universalism and the Welfare State
Article
Austerity has failed. And Covid-19 now presents us with the biggest challenge in 70 years. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the last crisis. We need a different approach – one that recognises the importance of a strong social contract and a state capable of upholding it.
This issue tackles some of the questions underlying the welfare debate: what would a stronger social contract look like? Is a more universalist approach desirable? And how do we build the political support to get there?
Contents
- Editorial/ Shreya Nanda, Chris Thomas, Rachel Statham, and Joshua Emden
- After the pandemic/ Alison Garnham
- There’s a crack in everything / Wim Van Lancker
- The Swedish social contract / Lars Trägårdh
- Review: Peter Sloman’s The Transfer State / Stewart Lansley
- Beyond universal basic income / Christine Berry
- Out of business? / Aveek Bhattacharya
- There is still a need for a universal welfare state / Bent Greve
- Intelligent kindness / John Ballatt, Penelope Campling, and Chris Maloney
- Fortune favours the affluent / Adrian Smith
- Will Covid-19 change attitudes towards the welfare state? / John Curtice
- Universal basic income and Covid-19 / Dr Rajiv Prabhakar
Related items

What would it take to eradicate child poverty in Scotland?
Delivering on the First Minister’s commitment to ‘eradicate’ child poverty seems a long way off.
Apathy and opposition: Understanding the real threats to net zero
Climate action is under siege from populist and far-right actors. Delivering under that pressure demands fresh confidence and commitment from government.
Adapt or die: Why progressives need to deal with extreme weather
The impacts of extreme weather are already directly affecting people and communities across the UK. We lack ways to deal with this.