Higher Modern Studies
Health & Wealth Inequalities in the UK
Essay 1
To what extent are the founding principles of the Welfare State being met?
Introduction
Critics have argued that the UK Welfare State has been damaged by cuts and the
interference of the private sector to the extent that it is no longer committed to the
four founding principles. Opponents to this will argue that it remains a system which
is universal, comprehensive, collectivist and equal. However the Welfare System has
been cut to the extent that very few of these principles remain.
Or
The UK Welfare State was founded upon four principles which aimed to address the
‘five giants’ Beveridge saw as the root causes of poverty. However critics have
argued in order to survive; cuts and the interference of the private sector have. Close
examination of each principle will show, however, that the UK welfare state today
remains committed to Beveridge’s vision.
Collectivist
Point
For the welfare state to be truly collectivist, it would be funded by
taxation, National Insurance, employer and state contributions
alone.
Evidence to show that this is still the case:
Still paid for through tax, NI, employer and state contributions.
People get services which they have paid contributions for e.g. an
NHS free at the point of use.
Private sector involvement is minor and only necessary when
government can’t afford vital services like school buildings e.g.
Belmont Academy
Evidence to show that this is no longer the case:
Some people are paying more than others – coalition criticised as
they have introduced welfare cuts which have pitted ‘skivers’ vs
‘strivers’ e.g. Child Benefit, Bedroom Tax.
Tuition Fees in Eng and Wales
Housing shortage due to ‘Right to Buy’ under Thatcher
Involvement of the private sector to fund welfare state e.g. PPPP
building of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Ends up costing tax payer
more in the long term and privatising the welfare state.
Universal
Analysis
Clearly a welfare state which is purely funded through collective
contributions is too much financial pressure for the government
and they have had to resort to alternative sources of funding such
as PPPP. This is essential, however, for its survival. The UK
government has stripped back the welfare state and brought in
private finance and tuition fees to the extent that it can no longer
be considered collective.
Point
The Welfare State was also founded on the principle of being
universal. For this to be true, everyone regardless of age, gender
and class would have equal access to the state.
Evidence to show that this is still the case:
Universal benefits like Free Bus Pass for over 60s, Free TV
licence, State Pension, Working Tax Credits.
Universal free healthcare and education
It can’t afford to build new homes so the Bedroom Tax has been
essential to its preservation.
Evidence to show that this is no longer the case:
Universal benefits put too much pressure on the government and
has forced the UK government to make controversial cuts
Bedroom Tax cuts housing benefit for 660,000 working-age social
tenants. Lack of one bedroom council properties.
Child Benefit reduced for those where one person earns over
£49,999 and cut completely where one earns over £60,000.
Punishes vulnerable in society
Analysis
What is your overall decision about how universal the welfare state
is today?
Completely universal benefits are no longer realistic in today’s
economy and the government has had to make cuts to ensure that
the most in need of help receive it.
The Welfare State no longer provides for everyone. It discriminates
against those who have paid national insurance and tax
contributions all their working lives and attacks the most vulnerable
in society by cutting benefits.
Comprehensive Point
Beveridge’s vision of the Welfare State was one where people
were comprehensively covered; from optical care to unemployment
benefit and housing.
Evidence to show that this is still the case:
NHS which covers GP visits, prescriptions (Scotland 2011) free
eye tests, dentistry check ups, hospital visits and treatment.
Comprehensive education from PT nursery places (Scotland for 3
and 4 year olds) to Secondary and Further Education (Scotland)
Evidence to show that this is no longer the case:
Council housing stock reduced as a result of Thatcher’s ‘Right to
Buy’ scheme in 1980s. People who are in need of a council house
are unable to get one. 160,000 households on the waiting list for
council housing across Scotland.
Postcode lottery for treatment.
Analysis
What is your overall decision about how comprehensive the
welfare state is today?
The welfare state remains committed to providing all services
which protect people from falling into poverty; health, education,
benefits are all covered.
The welfare state is no longer comprehensive as it has become a
patchwork of services where people have to wait on lists for homes
they urgently need or for NHS services.
Equal
Point
Equality of provision is a fundamental principle of the Welfare
State. Regardless of geography, class or ethnicity everyone should
have equal access to services.
Evidence to show that this is still the case:
Everyone can access education, NHS services and universal
benefits like the state pension or winter fuel allowance which
prevent them from falling into poverty.
Evidence to show that this is no longer the case:
Waiting lists, health board you live in and proximity to hospitals e.g.
University hospitals, better equipped, trained staff mean NHS is a
Postcode Lottery
Council housing shortages dependant on authority you live in.
Analysis
What is your overall decision about how comprehensive the
welfare state is today?
Still equal provision – doesn’t discriminate by age or class.
The welfare state doesn’t aim to discriminate but cuts to vital
services have meant that provision across the UK is by no means
equal.
Conclusion
1. Answer question
2. Give a brief point or 2 to support
argument
Therefore, it is clear that the UK Welfare
State remains committed to these four
founding principles. Everyone can
access the system; people are covered
for all aspects of need from ‘the cradle to
the grave’.
Or
Therefore, it is clear that the UK Welfare
State no longer remains committed to
these four founding principles. People
can now only access a system which has
been stripped back and mixed with
private sector financing and policies.