2000s social developments Flashcards
Upon labour taking power in 1997, what did people expect to happen to trade union membership and were they right
Expected to rise as labour were traditionally party of the workers
However, this didnt materialise and membership fell from 29 to 26%, although this was a slower rate than previously
Did new labour repeal that anti trade union legislation passed between 1979 and 1997
No; it was even openly critical of strike action
Why did Labour perhaps forego its old trade union links
Wanted to be seen as pro-buisness
Believed that connection to trade unions were part of the reason labour were unelectable in the 80s
What were some rights the european social chapter, opted into by Labour, granted
Guaranteed 3 months parental leave
The Works Council directive which requires employers to consult employees before making major changes in the workplace.
Did labour reverse the conservative privatisations
no, it extended them
Air traffic control organisation was sold off
London underground moved to a private public partnership
Even discussions of selling royal mail, something major didnt dare to do
What was labours stance on employment
Not a return to keynsian full employment but an emphasis on encouraging people into the workforce
‘work for those who can, security for those who cant’
The New Deal programme targeted the young, the old, the disabled, the single parents to encourage them into work.
When did Labour introduce a national minimum wage
1998, albeit intially at an extremely low rate
What were tax credits and who were they introduced by
Gordon Brown
Means tested benefits for those with low incomes, extra given for example for disabled children
After the 1997 elections, how had the number of female mps from before changed and why
Doubled, with 101/120 female mps being labour
Labour set up all-women shortlists for its most winnable seats to encourage females in parliament
Who was the first female foreign secretary
Margarett beckett 2006-07
What was the % of ftse 100 countries with no women on the board in 2007
around a quarter, down from 35% in 1997
What was the gender pay gap in 2007
0.87:1
Who attended Tony Blairs victory party at downing street
Noel Gallagher, Vivenne Westwood
What % were NEETs in 2007
20%
What did blair pledge to end in 1999 and was it successful
Child poverty; it fell by a quarter by 2005 due to policies like child tax credits
