Public sector policies and practice, neo‐liberal consumerism and freedom of choice in secondary education: a case study of one area in Kent

This paper details the impact of New Labour's neo‐liberal social and educational policies on disadvantaged groups in the district of Thanet. It notes that the post‐welfare policy responses to social and educational problems reinforce both the disadvantages of deprived groups and the gradient of popularity among secondary schools within the district. It further argues that the nature of individual consumer choice inherent in the concept of neo‐liberal negative freedom systematically discriminates against deprived groups by overriding wider concepts of equity and social justice. The paper concludes that a fair system of social justice, which recognizes the need for personal liberty, requires properly resourced and justly functioning public services that are equitably and inclusively available to all.