Social Policy on British Society

Question: Write an essay critically discusses the impact of social policy on British Society? Answer: Introduction The common problems faced by mature welfare states today are poverty, unemployment, increasing population and scarcity of resources. The main theme of social policy making in Britain is the provision of social welfare by the state (Arts Gelissen, 2002). Social policies can be defined as the programmes aimed at the enhancement of the well being and life of the individuals. In the current scenario, it is of utmost importance as it aims to uplift the status of the people and provide desirable way to the economy as a whole. Historical Influences The United Kingdom was once known as the Land of Rising Sun as it ruled more than half the World. Nevertheless, post the World War II slowly Britain started losing and freeing economies that proved that Britain had lost its Superpower status. The World War II had a major drill on the economy and the Labor Party had to impose severe restrictions to improve the financial health, as the Treasury was almost bankrupt. It took nearly a decade to return to the pre-world war prosperity levels. The first most important reform was the National Health Service in 1948 that aimed at providing free medical aid to everyone especially the poor and the nationalization of various industries. Over the years, Britain has continued to focus on the health, poverty, education and employment issues (Dean, 2006). The Beveridge Report was considered the Bible for Social welfare. The level of success and significance of this report is seen further. Socio-Political Influences Economic Climate Clement Attlee, the Labor Prime Minister was faced with the challenges of national planning for which reforms like more taxes for the rich, expansion of the welfare state, and providing free medical aid for everyone were the prime focus areas. The election of Winston Churchill ploughed back the faith in the institution of social welfare (Zeitlin et. al, 2005). The nation building process proved successful for a few years until Britain realized that it cannot afford to support such a massive population and so this led to colonization (Mau, 2003). Margaret Thatcher was the next most influential leader who introduced initiatives like deregulation, making labor markets accessible and flexible, privatization of state run and state owned enterprises, reducing the influence of the trade unions, so on and so forth. Thus, we can see how various rulers to ensure the public good at all times implement the social welfare policies (Dean, 2006). This reflects the importance of social policy and is evident that the policy was considered at all times. Right Left Ideologies The Right is supposed to be the Party of Order (Conservative Party or UKIP) and the Left is supposed to be the Party of Movement (Labor Party) with an aim to address the complex issues of social, economic and political dimensions. Left Wing is more progressive with laws on the good welfare system, healthier people and protection of women and minorities. The Right Wing believes in economic freedom, equality and survival of the fittest. Hence, a strong impact is by the right wing is seen (Kleinman, 2002). Consider the impact of Beveridge Report and its implications today On 1 December 1942, the Beveridge report was published by the Parliament and it stressed on the functioning of national insurance where flat rate was of main use, paid by the contributions of flat rate, would help during the time of old age, ill health and unemployment (Gallie Paugam, 2000). After 70 years it was seen that such factors were clearly spotted in the welfare state. The National Insurance is still entrusted with the task of entitlement to jobseeker allowance, support allowance, etc. (Ebbinghaus Mannow, 2001). Still such a happening is infused with complexity. The Basic State Pension (BSP), that is endowed with so many benefits and has taken a place of special importance for contribution has taken a universal role. BSP entitlements were set up by those who looked for the unemployed, the sick and those having a soft corner for children. In the current scenario, very little similarity is seen as compared to the system witnessed in the Beveridge Report. Till a certain extent, it can be remarked as the difference that exist between the scenario in which the report was made and the world in which we live in. the proposals were mainly for a country in which for the major extent the only lone parents were widows and the expectancy were lower as compared to the pension age. In the current scenario, UK is totally a different destination. In 1949 the percentage of working age men was 96% , but fallen to 76%, on the other hand working age women percentage has risen from 40% to 66%. When the reports were prepared, the report was lower than one in 20 births was married outside; and presently more than one in five children is brought up with a single parent. The life expectancy has enhanced from 63 in 1940 to 78 in 2010, on the other hand the male state age pension is the same provided in the Beveridges day. The variations in the employment, family composition, and longevity exposed the disadvantages of the report. A system related to the contributory mechanism cannot accommodate groups in seek of help, but apart from the contribution history like lone parents and the unemployment in the long-term (Eilperin Mufson, 2015). Challenges The history provides a strong statement that sheds light on the recognition of the welfare system to be adapted in a manner that adheres to the changes (Eilperin Mufson, 2015). The amounts paid to the social insurance framework are mostly looked upon as an additional tax burden. Even after 70 years of the Beveridge Report, there is a strong challenge for the government because big choices need to be fulfilled; that will enable strong cut to the budget of the security budget. Such decision needs to be implemented with long-term perspective and to enhance the system that can be affordable, as well as effective in nature. Factors influencing the Social Policies Social Policy makers are influenced by main factors, including the media, political ideologies, pressure groups culture, and the economy. Over years, the technological advancement has also led to better services and so the social policies are to be altered accordingly (Spicker, 2015). As the Beveridge Report failed due to the factors listed above. Illustration of Present day policies for Health: The Public expenditure on healthcare is close to 7.8% of the total Gross Domestic Product. According to the 2014 Report, the healthcare system of United Kingdom is placed first in terms of Quality of care, Efficiency, Equality and access to healthcare. The NHS provides the primary healthcare facilities whereas the hospitals provide specialized facilities (Spicker, 2015). NHS has also introduced Telephone advisory services for non-emergency medical aid, guidelines for best practices and cost control. This is of immense benefit to the citizens and helps to promote the economy. Conclusion The role of national government as well as EU in development of social policy is the major point of attraction. Colonization has been done and different polices has been framed by different countries, but the role of the European Union has been huge, It has contributed towards the welfare of all countries and this is highlighted by the similarity in the services, as well as facilities that are offered by the NHS and the comparative standards that are set by all the countries (Spicker, 2015). Majorly, the welfare of the European Union is taken into consideration and the polices are drafted keeping this viewpoint. References Arts, W. and Gelissen, J 2002, Three worlds of welfare capitalism or more? A state-of-the-art report, Journal of European Social Policy, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 137158. Dean, H 2006, Social Policy. Cambridge: Polity Press. Eilperin, Juliet, Mufson, Steven 2015, Obama calls for social policy changes in wake of Baltimore riots, The Washington Post. Ebbinghaus, B. and Manow, P 2001, Comparing welfare capitalism, London: Routledge. Gallie, D. and Paugam, S 2000, Welfare regimes and the experience of unemployment in Europe, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Kleinman, M 2002, A European Welfare State? European Union Social Policy in Context, Houndmills: Palgrave. Mau, S 2003, The Moral Economy of Welfare States. Britain and Germany compared, London: Routledge Spicker, Paul 2015, An introduction to Social Policy, viewed 26 January 2016, https://www.rgu.ac.uk/ Zeitlin, J., Pochet, P., Magnusson, L 2005, The Open Method of Coordination in Action: the European Employment and Social Inclusion Strategies, Brussels: Peter Lang.