Unfortunately we fear latest governmental social benefit system (7,5)

I believe the answer is:

welfare state

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'governmental social benefit system' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both groups as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'unfortunately we fear latest' is the wordplay.
'unfortunately' is an anagram indicator.
'we'+'fear'+'latest'='wefearlatest'
'wefearlatest' with letters rearranged gives 'WELFARE STATE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for welfare state that I've seen is " free in our country?".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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