Internal coordination of social security in the United Kingdom. Issue 2 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poole, Ed Gareth; Ifan, Guto
• Other Names: Pieters Danny guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: European journal of social security. Volume 21:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 153
• Page End: 162
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: United Kingdom -- devolution -- health care -- long-term social care -- social assistance -- internal coordination; Social security -- Europe -- Periodicals; Social security -- Law and legislation -- Europe -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.9405
• DOI: 10.1177/1388262719844984
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-2948

Abstract

Although social security is traditionally viewed as a highly centralised function in the UK, health care and long-term social care have long been devolved to sub-state governments, an arrangement requiring extensive internal coordination agreements. This coordination has various objectives, including ensuring parity of benefits provision in Northern Ireland (where social assistance is devolved) and Great Britain (where it is centralised), securing financial reimbursements for cross-border health care provision, and determining responsibility and eligibility criteria for individuals in need of social care. Further devolution and decentralisation of social security benefits over the past decade have made such coordination arrangements even more essential.