Economic and Social Rights in the UK: Between Pessimism of the Intellect and Optimism of the Will

Economic and social rights are recognised in a number of treaties voluntarily signed and ratified by the UK. International human rights bodies have repeatedly issued recommendations urging the UK to incorporate international law on economic and social rights into the domestic legal framework. So far, the UK Government has maintained the position that economic and social rights are not directly justiciable. This has been the Government’s position, with little public questioning of it, except in specialised circles. However, the politics and context of the debate appear to be shifting in recent years. This paper explores the reasons why this may be happening and reflects about why one might be hopeful, but cautious, about the prospects of seeing socio-economic rights enhanced in the UK.