The Welfare State

Lesson Objectives I will get the opportunity to develop my understanding of the principles that established the Welfare State. I will get the opportunity to develop my understanding of the “five giants” that the Welfare State would address.

What is a welfare state? ‘Welfare State’ (n) a system where the state provides benefits in such areas as unemployment, medicine, education and housing.

Background to the Welfare State Sir William Beveridge’s report into the Welfare State was published in 1942. There was a feeling that the social class unity needed to defeat the Nazis should be used to create a new country, where there was greater equality and the rich made more of a contribution to Government services. This was accepted by all political parties between 1945 to 1979. This is known as the “post-war consensus.”

The Five Giants In his report Beveridge identified “five gaints standing in the way of social progress.” A solution was offered for each of the giants. GIANT SOLUTION Want (Poverty) Social security e.g. Jobseekers’ Allowance, sick pay etc. Disease The NHS Ignorance Expansion of education, particularly of secondary schools. Squalor Adequate housing e.g. investment in social housing. Idleness Full employment i.e. everyone should have a job.

The Principles of the Welfare State What principles/values do you think the UK needs to have a welfare state? (Think about funding it, who gets help, how much help?) Work in pairs and be ready to feed your answers back to the class.

The Principles of the Welfare State Purpose Collectivist The state would fund the services needed through taxation and National Insurance. Universal The services provided for the population would be “free at the point of need.” Comprehensive The state would provide for all aspects of need – it would care for the population from “the cradle to the grave.” Equality Equal provision for all people in all regions.

Principle Met Not Met Collectivist Social housing Education “Right to buy” University fees Universal NHS still largely universal Free education to 16 Child benefit until Apr 2013 Charges for prescriptions (England), dental care and eye care Expansion of means tested benefits introduced by Labour End of universal Child Benefit by Coalition Govt. Comprehensive The NHS would care for all aspects of health The new towns The postcode lottery The “Right to Buy” scheme Equality Across the country the NHS has attempted to provide more specialised services. Postcode lottery Healthcare rationing Access to drugs/treatment.

Conclusion The Welfare State was established in the 1940s. The aim of the Welfare State was to slay the giants of; idleness, want, ignorance, disease and squalor. The Welfare State was found on the principles of; collectivist, universality, comprehensive and equality. These principles still underpin the Welfare State today but are a source of much debate.