Social exclusion is more than just income poverty – it is a lack of access to the networks of support and information that help people into education, homes, jobs, services and benefits. This Collection argues that network poverty is the real challenge facing policy makers. But social exclusion can be solved through long-term, all-round investments in policies that help disadvantaged people access the social and information networks they need to help them thrive. Contributors include Peter A Hall, Enzo Mingione and Mary Douglas.