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Contemporary Issues In Social Policy

Decent Essays

Contemporary Issues in Social Policy
By Nazia Howell
October 2017
Social policy refers to the policies used by government for welfare and social protection (Spicker, P.) that are usually made by central Government and implemented by local authorities to tackle current social issues such as poverty and racism. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have now devolved and have their own laws and legislations on several issues.
This essay will explore three contemporary issues in relation to social policy, whilst supporting these issues with legislation and economic context for each issue.
The three issues that will be explored are: Welfare, Health and Pensions. Defining social policy, and understanding social policy becomes imperative, to enable understanding of the contemporary issues within it.
Social policy was introduced in the early 19th Century, post war. At this time, William Beveridge introduced the idea of a Welfare State to address poverty. He released a report for social reform known as the ‘five giants’ within society: squalor, disease, ignorance, idleness and want. The welfare state brought many positive improvements in Britain and Government passed reforms to address the poverty levels, introducing “cradle to grave “support. The National Health Service was set up which gave free health care to all and laws and Acts were put in place to help the young, the old, the sick the unemployed and the working class in times of need. The five issues raised by Beveridge

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