The problems of Britain's inner cities loom larger in political debate. Issues such as declining jobs, deteriorating housing conditions, poverty, crime and diminishing service provision, have affected all the major conurbations. In an effort to moderate these problems, governments since 1977 have introduced various urban initiatives, such as partnerships, enterprise zones, urban development corporations and task forces. These, and other programmes, are comprehensively evaluated in this completely revised Second Edition.

The book adopts a threefold structure. In Part One, inner city policy since 1977 is located in its historical context and in contemporary economic, social and demographic processes. In Part Two the major urban initiatives since 1977 are assessed. One chapter deals with the Labour government's approach to the problem in the late 1970s. The succeeding three chapters examine programmes introduced by Conservative governments elected since 1979. Two other chapters evaluate contributions made by local government and by nongovernmental organizations. In Part Three the author develops three elements: an overview of inner urban policy as a whole; a consideration of explanatory devices; and some suggestions for reform.