Living with Risk: Labour Market Transformation,Employment Policies and Social Reproduction in the UK

Abstract

In many ways, contemporary labour market changes in the UK, the problems and their proposed solutions encapsulate many aspects of Ulrich Beck's risk society. Inequality and insecurity are increasing, leading to one-third of children growing up in poverty. Current labour market, income support and childcare policies tend to reinforce rather than challenge adverse aspects of the new partial and insecure forms of work. Remedial policies reflect individualization and are centred on the belief that the route out of poverty lies with 'making work pay' and by increasing the employability of those not in work. New forms of flexible working potentially provide the material foundation for a more equal distribution of paid and unpaid work, but to be effective need to be situated within a framework which prioritizes greater equality, including gender equity, in paid and unpaid work.