Reform of social security and tax is at the heart of the UK government's vision to combat social exclusion, eradicate child poverty and move people into employment. Since 1997 there have been major changes in policy and administration, directly affecting the lives of millions of people and raising important issues of equity and social justice. This introductory text provides students across a range of disciplines with an up to date critical analysis of these changes and their impact. It covers both social security policy and practice and addresses key issues such as: tax credits; welfare-to-work; cash and care; fraud; asylum seekers and ethnic minorities; disability; the pledge to end child poverty; and pensions. It also analyses the impact of supra-national bodies, family change, information technology and organisational change.