This edition of the Social Policy Review marks a departure from previous Reviews for two reasons. First, following a decision taken by the SPA membership at the 2003 Annual Conference, this edition and all future editions will be sent directly to members, the cost being included in the (increased) membership fee. Second, and not unrelated to this change, the content of the Review itself has been reorganised to reflect that it is now effectively compulsory for members to have a copy! After consultation and discussion with the publishers, The Policy Press, and debate among members of the SPA Executive Committee as well as among past and present editors, it was decided that the Review had to fulfil at least three important functions if it was to prove useful to what is a wide and varied membership. First, it must appeal to those – social policy teachers and students – who need up-to-date information and analysis about key policy changes in the most significant areas of British welfare. Second, it is clearly important that it fulfils a ‘research function’ by containing chapters written by respected national and international commentators that actively address a range of social policy research agendas. Finally – bearing in mind that lead-in times for the Review are comparatively short – it was felt that it could also act as a forum for stimulating debate about a pressing issue or contemporary theme, or as in the current volume, for acknowledging a particularly significant ‘moment’. Depending on the matter in hand, chapters here might have a more personal, less formal, character – allowing those who are involved in social policy in other than an academic capacity to make a contribution.

Taking these three elements together – and with undoubted overlaps among the sections – it was agreed that the Review should be organised in the following manner.

Part One will be devoted to contemporary ‘developments in social policy’ across the core areas of UK welfare. In practice, this is seen as being the ‘big five’ sectors of healthcare, education, housing, social security and social care. Wherever possible, the focus will be on events that have taken place in the year immediately preceding publication, although historical and contextual factors are likely to be important.