'...this is an excellent text.' - Justin Keen, Fellow in healthcare systems, King's Fund Reviews of the first edition: 'This book will be invaluable for anyone teaching or studying post-1945 British history or specifically post-war social policy.' - Pat Thane, Labour History Review '...this is an excellent study which will not be surpassed for many a year.' - Alan Booth, University of Exeter 'An impressive new history of the welfare state...' - Malcolm Dean, The Guardian '...excellent...Lowe is conversant with the social policy literature on this period and is able to make numerous connections with the perspectives of other disciplines.' - Michael Cahill, Journal of Social Policy This is the second edition of a book which has quickly established itself as a standard work for students and the general reader alike. It incorporates recent political developments and the latest research. It thus provides the fullest available range of evidence on which to base informed judgements on the past record, and future prospects, of the welfare state in Britain.