Developing a novel, systematic form of Media Framing Analysis to discursively examine the UK’s Employment and Support Allowance policy

Abstract

In 2008, the UK government introduced Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) as a welfare policy for individuals who are unable to work due to sickness or disability. Our research project examined the cultural landscape that has been made ‘available’ for those living with chronic health conditions whilst claiming welfare. To increase the transparency of a Foucauldian-inspired discursive analysis, PRISMA reporting guidelines were incorporated into a Media Framing Analysis. News articles and policy documents were collected as data corpora. This paper outlines how this innovative approach was developed; sharing samples of the analytical findings to illustrate what was achieved through a systematic compiling of a data set. A genealogical approach to health-based welfare shows how temporal and dualistic discourses of illness synonymise ‘health’ with a capability for employment. Methodological considerations are explored; illuminating how a systematic approach to data compilation can improve the transparency, rigour and potential transferability of discursive analyses.