"Hugh Bochel has edited an excellent text; comprehensive and contemporary in its coverage, and with chapters clearly and engagingly written by relevant social policy experts." Journal of Social Policy "This excellent book assembles an impressive range of experts to analyse Conservative party social policy, with a particular focus on developments since 1997 ... The rigorous evidence-based analysis presented in this volume marks an important contribution to understanding this process, and has set a benchmark against which future work in this area will be judged." Political Studies Review. "This timely and eagerly awaited collection from leading commentators is an essential guide to the current government's social policy." Martin Powell, Professor of Health and Social Policy, University of Birmingham "This is indeed a very timely and useful collection. Following so quickly on the accession to power of the new Coalition government, dominated by the Conservatives, this analysis of the party's key policy plans will be essential reading for all social policy students in the UK. The Editor and The Policy Press are to be congratulated in getting it out so swiftly." Pete Alcock, University of Birmingham