The politics of public expenditure from Thatcher to Blair

Mullard, Maurice; Swaray, Raymond

Abstract

The central concerns of this study are twofold: first, to analyse the nature of the politics of public expenditure under both the Thatcher and Blair governments and to ask whether changes in government did make a difference. Second, to deal with the more general question on whether major differences exist between the Conservative and Labour governments in prioritising public expenditure programmes since 1948. The results confirm differences in public expenditure priorities between the two main parties. Labour governments are associated with increased spending on health, education, housing and the environment while Conservative governments are associated with increases in defence and law and order.

Citation

Mullard, M., & Swaray, R. (2006). The politics of public expenditure from Thatcher to Blair. Policy and Politics, 34(3), 495-515. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557306777695343

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 31, 2006
• Publication Date: Jul 3, 2006
• Journal: POLICY AND POLITICS
• Print ISSN: 0305-5736
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-8442
• Publisher: Policy Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 495-515
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/030557306777695343
• Keywords: Sociology and Political Science; Public Administration; Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/396062
• Publisher URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/pap/2006/00000034/00000003/art00006?token=00581222554e6b63734f582a2f433e402c3568793c6c567e504f39412f415d7677253e703a2b75423f634277