noun phrase · academic
social safety net
UK/ˌsəʊʃəl ˈseɪfti nɛt/US/ˌsoʊʃəl ˈseɪfti nɛt/SO·cial SAFT·y net
government programs (benefits, unemployment insurance, etc.) that protect people in financial hardship
Examples
“During the crisis the government expanded the social safety net to help families pay their bills.”
“A robust social safety net can reduce extreme poverty and cushion economic shocks.”
“Some economists argue that a targeted social safety net is more efficient than universal subsidies.”
Band 8 sentence
“A well‑designed social safety net not only alleviates immediate hardship but also supports labour market participation in the long run.”
Collocations
- provide a social safety net
- rely on the social safety net
- expand the social safety net
Word family
Common mistakes
Social safety net is important for the poor.→A social safety net is important for the poor.
They made a social safety network to help people.→They created a social safety net to help people.
Government should rely for social safety net.→Government should rely on the social safety net.
Say it for a higher band
5welfare→6welfare system→7+social safety net
Synonyms
welfare system
Easily confused
welfare system
“The government is considering reforms to the welfare system to ensure long-term sustainability.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Society & Government
Learn it with its set