Abstract
Housing policy is a core subject in social policy. Britain has presented an interesting development. The post-war welfare state provided council housing, but Margaret Thatcher's government implemented a 'right to buy' programme under her privatisation policy. While public sector housing provision declined, cash benefits to support tenants have grown since the 1980s. The current coalition government aims to cut the social security benefits, and in particular to target housing benefits. It is feared that the recent policy changes will lead further difficulties for those with housing needs. Analysis of British housing policy offers a good platform for social policy debates, including the roles of state, market, cash benefits, and social housing for fulfillment of citizens' basic needs. It is also important to examine the outcome of housing policy in the context of social exclusion. My paper will try to suggest the direction for Japanese social policy by evaluating the British policy developments.
