SOCIAL POLICY
Week8- 01/11/21
SW720
Do you think that the consensus still exists?
• Does our society support
• - a welfare state?
• Free public education?
• NHS free healthcare for all?
• Social housing –subsidised by governments?
• Free school Meals?
• Reduction in poverty?
• Reduction in inequality?
‘There is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women..’
• Thatcher government from 1979 had clear ideology/vision for economic and social
policy;
• Focused on individuals,
• The creation of wealth was encouraged through small businesses and
entrepreneurship whilst reducing the influence of Trade Unions;
• Changes to British social policy including:
a. The sale of council houses;
b. Competitive tendering;
c. Introduction of social security loans;
d. ET and YTS
e. Marketisation of social care (Caring for People White Paper 1989)
f. Emphasis on the voice of the consumer or service user
The Third Way 1997 – 2010
• The integration of traditional Labour and New Right which recognized global change.
Emphasis on partnership working;
• Sure Start - Positive welfare. Preventative.
• Social policy focus on addressing poverty (2020 agenda) and links between child
poverty and adult unemployment.
• Tax credits introduced as incentive to take up low paid work.
• Evidence that this initiative has helped to reduce poverty for children.
2010 and beyond
BIG SOCIETY
Week8- 01/11/21
SW720
Do you think that the consensus still exists?
• Does our society support
• - a welfare state?
• Free public education?
• NHS free healthcare for all?
• Social housing –subsidised by governments?
• Free school Meals?
• Reduction in poverty?
• Reduction in inequality?
‘There is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women..’
• Thatcher government from 1979 had clear ideology/vision for economic and social
policy;
• Focused on individuals,
• The creation of wealth was encouraged through small businesses and
entrepreneurship whilst reducing the influence of Trade Unions;
• Changes to British social policy including:
a. The sale of council houses;
b. Competitive tendering;
c. Introduction of social security loans;
d. ET and YTS
e. Marketisation of social care (Caring for People White Paper 1989)
f. Emphasis on the voice of the consumer or service user
The Third Way 1997 – 2010
• The integration of traditional Labour and New Right which recognized global change.
Emphasis on partnership working;
• Sure Start - Positive welfare. Preventative.
• Social policy focus on addressing poverty (2020 agenda) and links between child
poverty and adult unemployment.
• Tax credits introduced as incentive to take up low paid work.
• Evidence that this initiative has helped to reduce poverty for children.
2010 and beyond
BIG SOCIETY
