The author discusses the history and current state of various safety net programs in Britain, as well as possible improvements and solutions, such as the “citizen’s income” proposed by the organization Compass.

Tom Clark, “When it comes to our welfare system, we’ve lost the plot”, The Guardian, 27 July 2014

A protest outside the London offices of Love Productions, which made the TV programme Benefits Street. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian

A protest outside the London offices of Love Productions, which made the TV programme Benefits Street. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian