Traditional theories of the origins of the welfare state have emphasized the financial weakness of Britain’s largest provider of mutual insurance in the late 19th century, the friendly societies. These theories share common implications with contemporary theories of institutional change...

It has long been accepted that lack of social participation in wider society is oneaspect or one definition of poverty. Current concerns with the extent anddistribution of social capital as both a measure of a good society and as meansto upward mobility also emphasise the importance of social...

[...]We observe several trends in payment timing from 1998 to2006. After 2000, the peak in payment activity shifts to laterin the day. Indeed, post-2000, a greater concentration ofpayments occurs after 17:00. At the same time, however, severalfactors have been associated with increased payment...