The next in our series of spiked drinks events will examine the future of the welfare state.

For all the claims that there is a massive ideological clash between defenders and destroyers of the welfare state, in fact conformism on the question of welfare is widespread. Across the political spectrum, observers and campaigners agree that communities, especially poorer ones, cannot survive without welfarist intervention. And this no longer means simply providing a temporary income to those without work - it now means, in some cases, providing a permanent income to the long-term workless, as well as providing therapuetic guidance in every area of people’s lives, from child-rearing to social wellbeing.

Has welfarism gone too far? Is it time to trim this massive machine? And more importantly, shouldn’t it be trimmed for the *right* reasons - that is, not in order to save the state money but as a way of protecting communities from the negative impact of constant welfarist intervention? Surely when communities are continually propped up by external favour and financial assistance, and when individuals are both housed and fed by faceless figures they don’t know or meet, this will necessarily dent and damage social solidarity and community bonds? When we become too reliant on the state, do we stop relying on each other?

These are the questions we want to ask in the next spiked-live debate. Featuring a panel of three or four speakers who are all concerned about welfarism, but from different persecptives, this debate will put forward humanist rather than penny-pinching arguments for seriously rethinking welfarism.

This event is free but places must be reserved in advance. Please email Viv Regan at