Since the 1970s social security in the European Union has been dominated by attempts at reform and cost control. In the last decade of the twentieth century these attempts have been strengthened by the coming European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). This book offers an overview of the social...

Under the Universal Credit reform, the main means-tested benefits except the Council Tax Benefit will be pooled into one single benefit with one single taper rate. The reform will give people better incentives to work, reduce complexity and contribute to reducing poverty. The reform could reduce...

Convergence to the Centre -- Financial Markets: Banks Capital Markets -- Firm Size, Productivity, EU-Funds and Corruption -- Labour Markets: Structural Characteristics and the Impact of Two Crises -- Transport and Mobility -- Monetary, Macroprudential, and Fiscal Policy -- Green Economy: Energy,...