William Beveridge’s vision for a universal system of social insurance, family allowances and health service led to the building of the UK welfare state. Why was the welfare state welcomed and what have been some of its limitations? Draw from K101 for your

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WHY WELCOMED?

Britain had just come through WW2 and the country was in social and economic disrepair. Last vestigaes of the great deperssion (1929 created the hungry 30's) were still being felt around the world. Perhaps emphasised by Britains relationship with America. People were ready for a fairer and just society - it had once been a society of opposites with a division of wealth between North and South.

LIMITATIONSINADEQUATE BENEFITS AND PENSIONS

Benefits levels set to low (p22)

ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT GENDER ROLES

some researchers say he ignored the giants of sexism and racism. The report reflected a white middle class male perspective. The role of women was considered to be unpaid and in the home.

DOMINANCE OF THE BIOMEDICAL APPROACH

Critics began to question the power of the biomedical approach when the NHS became known as the national sickness service - it greated public demand

Biomedical approach supported the medical hierarchy

SOCIAL CARE SEEN AS TH POOR RELATION

Concern grew that the modern welfare state created a cinderella service of the social services. The social care sector was largely neglected and seen as a legacy of the poor law

NOT EVERYONE WAS COVERED UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM

Those who couldn't pay the national insurance contributins had to clain national assistance so in essence it didn't really tackle the issue of the social stigma related to poverty

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