The British Welfare State: Thatcherism’s enduring legacy

The 1980s were the decade of Thatcherism. They were years when major changes were made, and attempted, in public and social policies. They were also years dominated by the ideology to which Mrs Thatcher gave her name. This paper is an exercise in analysis and prophecy. It attempts to anticipate the probable enduring impact of Thatcherism on the British welfare state and foresees ten enduring legacies.