A Duty of Care: Britain Before and After Covid

A Duty of Care, by Peter Hennessy, explores the concept of the state's duty of care to its citizens in post-war Britain and proposes a new Beveridge to build a consensus for post-covid Britain.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

In his insightful book, "A Duty of Care," renowned historian Peter Hennessy delves into the historical significance of the concept of the "duty of care" in Britain. He explores the evolution of this concept from its pre-World War II origins to its contemporary relevance in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hennessy divides post-war British history into two distinct periods: BC (before COVID) and AC (after COVID). He takes a retrospective look at the era preceding the pandemic, drawing upon Sir William Beveridge's seminal work, "The Report on Social Insurance and Allied Services," which laid the foundation for the modern welfare state. Hennessy examines the persistent efforts of successive post-war governments to tackle the "five giants" that posed significant challenges to society: want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness. He questions what the analogous giants are in the present day and analyzes the road map to 2045, envisioning a new Beveridge-inspired initiative aimed at building a consensus for post-COVID Britain on the same ambitious and transformative scale as the original Beveridge Report.

Through his meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Hennessy offers valuable insights into the historical roots of the duty of care and its potential role in shaping a more resilient and inclusive society in the years to come. "A Duty of Care" is a must-read for policymakers, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the past and shaping the future of social welfare in Britain.

Weight: 466g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241491942