Resources for social policy

The paper attempts the difficult task of identifying and and exploring key resource factors which may influence serial policy in the next millennium. It begins by critically examining the impact of demographic trends upon fin ance and demand for welfare in Europe. The possible impact of this is then examined in relation to the role of the family as a primary welfare resourc e and upon the supply of professional services. The implications of diminis hing environmental resources are then examined and green social policy prop osals are briefly outlined. However, the paper argues that the key resource is public goodwill and support for a range of social policy interventions. "The public" has been regarded as homogeneous in many surveys, but this pa per argues that trends in middle-class welfare support and welfare activity pose concerns for the future of welfare provision.