Publisher's Synopsis
The idea of "workfare" - requiring claimants to work in return for their benefits - is much discussed in Britain but has yet to be implemented. In the United States of America workfare has been an element of Federal policy, and has featured in the language of political rhetoric for about three decades. It has been tried, tested and simultaneously found both welcome and wanting. "Thinking About Workfare" reviews the experience of American workfare to draw lessons of relevance to the United Kingdom. Policies do not often transplant readily from one country to another. Only by being aware of the context in which policies are forged is it possible to distinguish between features which are likely to inhibit transplantation and those which are not. This study describes the political and administrative background to American workfare, surveys and various programmes and reports detailed evaluations of specific schemes before considering what lessons may be drawn for welfare and employment policies in Britain.
