Squaring the Welfare Circle in Europe, 1995

Pressures on state welfare are increasing for a number of reasons. These include: rising numbers of elderly people who need pensions and health and social care; labour market changes leading to a sharp rise in under-employment and unemployment; changes in family structure, in particular the increasing number of one parent families; the introduction of expensive new medical technologies; the rising expectations of the public.<br> At the same time there are strong pressures for constraint in welfare spending, resulting from widespread reluctance to pay higher taxes and contributions, the fiscal requirements of the Maastricht treaty and concern that high welfare spending makes European economies less competitive in the global market.

The researchers of this study termed the problem of balancing these conflicting pressures <i>Squaring the Welfare Circle</i>.<br> The research project examines the considerations that are likely to influence policy-makers through an interview survey of politicians and other key influentials.