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Child benefit Packages in the United Kingdom and Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2013

Jonathan Bradshaw  and
Michihiko Tokoro
Jonathan Bradshaw
Affiliation:
Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York E-mail: jonathan.bradshaw@york.ac.uk
Michihiko Tokoro
Affiliation:
Department of Human Development and Welfare, Osaka City University E-mail: tokoro@life.osaka-cu.ac.jp
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Abstract

Japan recently introduced a universal child benefit, but its life has been short lived mainly because of the Tsunami and financial problems as well as political conflict over the principles. Meanwhile the Coalition government in the UK, as part of its deficit reduction strategy, has frozen child benefit for three years and taken it back from higher rate tax payers. All other working age family benefits are being cut in real terms. In both countries, state support for families with children is in disarray. This article explores the evolution of the child benefit packages in both countries since 1992. It is based on model family analysis which enables comparison of policies to be made on a consistent basis. It reviews the consequences of these and other changes in the policy package for lone parent and couple families.

Keywords

Child benefitJapanUK
Type
Themed Section on Comparative Perspectives on Poverty and Inequality: Japan and the United Kingdom
Information
Social Policy and Society , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 119 - 128
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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References

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