Social issues - BLAIR

?
what was Blair's main aim regarding society ?
Key aim = eliminate social exclusion – i.e. tackle poverty
1 of 48
what was the 'new deal'?
the term used to describe Labour’s social policies - built on existing structures (developed successful tory policies)
2 of 48
what was labour historically regarding workers?
Historically – labour was party of the workers BUT lost power under thatcher due to legislation
3 of 48
what was the decline in trade unions from 1980s?
Decline in TUs – begun since 1980s - % of workforce w/ membership of union fell form 29%-26^%
4 of 48
why didn't new labour revoke the TU legislation brought in under the Conservatives?
was belief of new labour that the TU’s and memories of the ‘winter of discontent’ was one of main reasons the party had not been electable in 1980’s.
5 of 48
what did Blair do as shadow home secretary under smith regarding TU influence in the party?
Blair had limited TU influence in Party through the block vote.
6 of 48
what did New Labour support that was major change from before ?
NL was pro-business !
7 of 48
what were TU's critical of regarding NL policies ?
TU’s were critical of continuation of Conservative policies of PFI and outsourcing
8 of 48
privatisation continue under NL?
Some privatisation continued – Air Traffic Control organisation, London Underground became public-private partnership and discussed selling off Royal Mail.
9 of 48
did NL improve the workers lives ?
Although the unions were not restored to their former glories New Labour did help improve the lives of workers to an extent.
10 of 48
what did NL do regarding the social chapter?
social Chapter - Labour opted back in. Britain would now follow EU policies re. employment + social rights.
11 of 48
what did NL do regarding the jobseekers allowance?
Intended to streamline Major’s policy – it removed a means test + gave applicants more time + flexibility in their search for work
12 of 48
what did NL do regarding the new deal?
The New Deal promised ‘work for those who can, security for those who can’t, - targeting unemployed, young people, older workers, the disabled - promised help + support in finding work. sanctions imposed if people did not take up support were unfair
13 of 48
what did NL do regarding Working families tax credit + child tax credit ?
Topped up the income of low paid working families. To be seen as a wage rather than benefit. Cost of both was extensive + many believed unsustainable in the LT
14 of 48
what did NL do regarding the Minimum Wage ?
intro in 1998, achieving election promise - Set at £4.85. Raised the wages of 1.5 million workers - Critics argued it was too low at the start.
15 of 48
what did the gap between the rich and poor do between 1997-2007
The gap between the rich and poor widened between 1997-2007. criticism from party - o Right: new policies increased dependency culture o Left: accused NL of only tinkering w/ system + continuing Thatcherite policies - NL abandoned socialism.
16 of 48
what did the Employment Act 2004 do?
Employment Act 2004 - Confirmed TU rights as well as employers having to accept TU’s if majority of workforce wanted it - Strikes could not be held w/out ballot first.
17 of 48
outcomes of Blair's social policies regarding workers + pay?
Take-home pay rose steadily as did living standards, though much of this was based on personal debt.
18 of 48
overall success of workers rights under Blair ?
to an extent: social rights increased, unemployed had motivation + increase in income (families + low paid particularly benefitted), LS increased BUT inequality of income – policies = counterproductive, not workers + public sector at risk BUT not poo
19 of 48
social change regarding women under Blair ?
‘The New Feminism’, a celebration of women’s cultural + political achievements + 'Blair's babes' showed this
20 of 48
who were blair's babes?
101 female Labour MPs elected in 1997 (120 in total)
21 of 48
why were Blairs babes criticised ?
Blair’s babes criticised for being too subservient to the leadership.
22 of 48
what did Blair do regarding women and prominent cabinet roles ?
Blair appointed women to prominent cabinet roles – Margaret Beckett became 1st female Foreign Secretary 2006-7.
23 of 48
what did the national childcare strategy do for women?
paid maternity leaves significantly increased, by 2007 all 3-4-year olds entitled to 12.5 hours free nursery education.
24 of 48
why did the Working families tax credit and child tax credit benefit women ?
Working families tax credit and child tax credit benefitted women as they constituted majority of low paid workers.
25 of 48
improvement in female management positions ?
management positions some progress was made. the percentage of FTSE 100 companies with no women in the boardroom fell from 36% to 24%.
26 of 48
still a gender pay gap in 2007?
Gender pay gap persisted, by 2007 women still only earning 87% of what men did.
27 of 48
what was the impact on women when NL emphasised paid employment so much ?
New Labour’s emphasis on paid employment undervalued the unpaid work in the home and with family which generally fell to women.  in 2007 women still did 3x the amount of housework as men.
28 of 48
why was youth as a social policy so related to Blair as PM?
Great deal of focus on youth under NL – Blair was youngest PM + had 3 school-age children + 4th born in 2000 • Blair hosted party at 10 downing street not long after 1997 election – Vivienne Westwood attended + Noel Gallagher from Oasis band
29 of 48
what did Blair do when becoming PM for youths ?
•In 1999 Labour pledged to end child poverty within 20 yrs. • The ‘New Deal’ targeted 16-24 year olds neither in work or education, known as NEETS (Not in Education, Employment or Training). • Labour aimed for 50% young people to go university
30 of 48
what did labour to do end social exclusion?
Sure Start centres established - provided guidance for pre-schl children + child tax credit helped to end child poverty - 2005, reduced by 1/4. Connexions 2000 - advise teenagers on choices after schl. 2004 - no. unis x2 1990. NEETs + min. wage
31 of 48
what were NEETs?
 NEETs were offered one-to one advice to get a job. by 2000, 160 000 young people had found jobs 6 months faster than without the advice.
32 of 48
limitations of labours youth policies ?
Employers complained young lacked the skills needed + Emphasis on increasing university numbers was at the expense of encouraging practical skills for those following a non-academic pathway.
33 of 48
what is multiculturalism?
multiculturalism – society which treats all cultures equal + is tolerant to all
34 of 48
what was public opinion on multiculturalism by 2007?
•Most people accepted there should be racial equality, the biggest issue was how to achieve diversity within unity. •The issue that remained was not racial, but cultural.
35 of 48
growth of immigration by 2007 + public opinion?
Globalisation + EU expansion opened way for people from extra + Eastern Europe to move to Britain - increase in immigration led to tensions
36 of 48
evidence of multiculturalism by 2007?
2002 - 1st black cabinet minister appointed – Paul Boateng chief secretary to Treasury. helped to fill skills shortages London 2012 Olympics - selling point was city’s multiculturalism, showing pride in progress made towards a genuinely mult. society
37 of 48
evidence of lack of multiculturalism by 2007?
high no. of migrants put pressure on local services. Lawrence case + impact on police.2001 only 3% of pop ranked immigration as a leading concern, by 2007 was 30%.  2001 - Chairman of BBC acknowledged workforce ‘hideously white’.
38 of 48
what did July 2005 bombings show ?
Argued not enough emphasis placed on immigrants to properly integrate into Brit + some born in Brit were alienated-7th July 2005 London bombings – 52 killed - 3 suicide bombers were brit born muslims
39 of 48
what was one belief behind why British muslims had been alienated ?
1 belief – Britain foreign policy (Iraq war) had alienated British Muslims
40 of 48
what happened on 2nd attempt of suicide bombs in July 2005?
•21st July 2005 – +4 suicide bombers attempted similar attack, but bombs failed to explode – manhunt for those involved + a young Brazilian was mistaken for 1 of terrorists + shot dead by police
41 of 48
what were the 2 responses to the terrorist attacks?
1. some argued it necessary to find out why some men had become alienated + how relations w/ethnic minorities could be improved. 2. it was an essential need was for greater security
42 of 48
what did labour govt pass in 2007?
passed controversial National Identity Card Act arguing identity cards were needed to fight terrorism + terrorist Act 2006 increased time that suspect could be held w/out charge for 28 days
43 of 48
what was public response to national identity act + terrorist act?
Critics looked back at Northern Ireland troubles + emphasised importance of not cutting back civil liberties.
44 of 48
what was the pressure group called that was against immigrants coming to Britain ?
Pressure group – Migration watch headed by sir Andrew green focussed on dangers of large numbers of immigrants arriving so quickly that public services were overstretched
45 of 48
what did economists argue regarding immigrants coming to Britain ?
argue that nation benefited economically from migrants – filled labour shortage, brought valuable skills + were net gain to economy • They argued Most migrants were young, active + healthy – did not make heavy demands on services
46 of 48
what was impact of the Anti-terror legislation under Blair ?
after 9/11. This made multiculturalism an even hotter topic – the legislation brought criticism from the left (infringing of human rights) + the right (not far enough to deter terrorist activity).
47 of 48
How far was multiculturalism accepted in Britain?
Looked accepting BUT underlying concerns still apparent – perhaps London was BUT regional disparity – e.g. Brixton + northern deprived areas not so accepting
48 of 48

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

what was the 'new deal'?

Back

the term used to describe Labour’s social policies - built on existing structures (developed successful tory policies)

Card 3

Front

what was labour historically regarding workers?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

what was the decline in trade unions from 1980s?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

why didn't new labour revoke the TU legislation brought in under the Conservatives?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Modern Britain - 19th century onwards resources »