Introduction

Abstract

Increased longevity and declining fertility are prompting concerns about the sustainability of current welfare arrangements. ‘Active ageing’ policies have been presented as a potential means to arrest the conflict many argue will be produced by the increased share of the older population and the corresponding demands which will be placed on pension and care systems. Though ‘active’ or ‘productive’ ageing are not new concepts, this renewed focus is also argued to be part of a broader shift away from ‘passive’ to ‘active’ social policies. When initially created, activation and active welfare policies focused on young unemployed individuals, but increasingly groups of formerly ‘deserving’ welfare recipients are now the targets of these policies, including for example older individuals,¹ lone parents and those with disabilities.