The ‘Bedroom Tax’ has been one of the most contentious aspects of the UK government’s austerity politics. In this book Kelly Bogue provides an authoritative assessment of its social impacts.

Harnessing personal stories from one estate, The Divisive State of Social Policy traces the links between Housing Benefit reforms and inequality. It explores issues related to the Bedroom Tax including housing insecurity, poverty and damage to social networks.

This is a vivid picture of the sharp end of austerity politics and welfare reform, and gets to the heart of the meanings of home and community in the UK today.