The IEA recently hosted the re-launch of James Bartholomew’s book ‘The Welfare State We’re In’. In the video above, ieaTV interview Bartholomew himself, alongside TV and film producer Martin Durkin, on the origins and consequences of the welfare state in the UK. Bartholomew argues that it is a myth that social security didn’t exist prior to the post-war welfare state, and that in the areas of health, education and out-of-work benefits there was already widespread and growing provision. Both Bartholomew and Durkin provide a damning assessment of the welfare state that has been implemented since, arguing that William Beveridge (widely credited as the architect of the welfare state) would be appalled by the status quo, which they blame for many economic and societal failings.