Social Issues (1997-2007) Flashcards
How far did workers position in society under New Labour change?
-(Trade unions)-developmental, evolutionary, drastic
(2004) national union of rail, maritime and transport workers (RMT) was expelled from the Labour Party as they donated to more left wing political parties
TU fund decrease to 30% to Labour [B: trade union decline continue from 1980s 29-26%, not reverse thatcher TU reforms]
-(Public sector workers)-drastic, developmental
Employment right of workers who moved from public to private sector work through PFIs
(B: contracting out to move into private sectors continued, PFI still used. PRIV: air traffic control sold of and London undergone moved to public private partnership, Blair tempted to go further by considering selling Royal Mail)
-(working conditions)-sharp, drastic
Opt into European social chapter , improved working conditions and social right. e.g unpaid parental leave
(B: opt out of maximum working hours)
-(Globalisation)-sweeping, tectonic, predictable
More welcomed by Labour
(B: had existed and was accelerated in the 1990s from internet developments and better transportation , WWW released to public (1993))
-(New deal programmes)= predictable, cosmetic
Help unemployed groups get work “ for those who can, security for those that can’t” such as provide Training or guidance , work in voluntary sector to gain experience, or subsidised job placement
(B: limited support, sanctions imposed if they refused support, Youth enterprise scheme, )
-(Minimum wage & tax credit)= predictable, little
Low pay commission was set up to oversee and set the wage. Tax credits were means-tested bandits paid to poeple with low income (adjusted benefits based on elements like children and disability)
(B: pay commission was initially set at very low rate, more potential unemployment, lowest wage still low)
What were the reasons for new labours changes to workers position in socioty?
Trade unions:
-part of re-branding of New Labour, to downplay link with trade unions and memories of winter of discontent, that Labour blamed for not being elected in 80s (B: kinnock had lack of support for miners 80s)
Public sector workers:
-Labour preferred to emphasise its pro business attitude
Working conditions:
-Key New Labour policy to be central to Europe and Blair wanted to play vital role in EU. Chapter improved working conditions without need for TU, which helped reduce their power and still get vote
Globalisation:
-Forced brits to compete in new globalised world economy = increase skills of workers= “knowledge economy” = more efficient systems and processes (new tech included)= more productivity. Greater EU connectivity
New deal programmes:
-Part of new labours ideology, to suport poeple (old, youth, disabled, lone parents) into work. More U25 into work
Minimum a wage & tax credits
-appeal to youth, less unions needed to control wages, ideological beliefs. Help poorer working class mothers
How far did women’s position in society change under new labour?
-(MPs)-drastic-
(1997) number of women MPs rose to 120 (double number for which we’re in office), 101 were Labour- lab used all women shortlist
-Margaret Becket as foreign secretary (2006-2007) first women to serve in role
(B: none, amount of MPs not a red with conservatives)
-(childcare & pension credits)-drastic-
Childcare provisions extended by (2007) 3-4 yrs entitled 12.5 hours /week of free nursery education , by (2010) rose to 15hrs
Pension credits introduced
[B: a voucher system introduced (1996) for 4 year olds but was regional and only 4 local authorities used it
-(In the workplace and at home) -little-
Women not on board in FTSE 100 companies fell from 36% to 24%
[B: pay gap continued , women earnt 87% of what men did by (07). Limited women promoted to material posts. Housework and family still dominated by women (2007 report published that women did 3x amount of house work as men)
What were the reasons for new labours changes to women’s position in socioty?
MPs:
-part of liberal ideology of Labour Party, behaviour of Labour Party set standards for encouraging women to participate in work
Childcare & pensions credits:
-more women in work= workforce more efficient=more purchasing power, more skills & luxuries etc
In the workplace and at home:
-social values are entrenched (labour must satisfy them)
How far did Youths position in society change under new labour?
-(Pre-school children 0-5 yrs)-drastic-sweeping-revolutionary
Sure start centre: provided guidance, information and ensure preschool children were supported to be ready for school.
(1999) Blair pledged to end child poverty in 20 years= by 2005 down by 1/4
Child tax credits reduce child poverty (child has more benefits)
(B: (1995) childcare vouchers)
-(16-24 yrs: in work or higher education)-developmental-predictable-
Educational maintained allowance provided payments to students from low income families. Curriculum (2000) introduce AS levels. Connexion service advised teens about choices there post 16 choices
(Aim 50% of young poeple to go to uni)
(B: citizens charter focus on improving some education, open uni still create work, Youth employment scheme, (1988) education reform act)
-(16-24 yrs NEETS/ not in education, employment or training)-cosmetic-sharp
Rose by 20% by 2007. Fast track system for young offenders a key Labour 97 pledge.
New deal aimed to help young people find work
ASBOs (anti-social behaviour order) court order that limited what defendant could do if disobeyed they were punished (e.g ban someone from going somewhere / impose curfew)
(2005) 46% ASBOs went to U17
(B: inner city decline contributed to this, conserv did this: back to basic campaign and thatchers strict take on policing)
What were the reasons for new labours changes to youths position in socioty?
Pre-school children:
-end social exclusion
-pledges to improve “education education education”
-Blair was a father of 4 school age children (4th born in 2000)
-help families with children
16-24 yrs: in work or higher education
-produce highly skilled work force needed to compete in globalised world economy
-more opportunity & inclusion for all
-manifesto 97 pledge
16-24 years: NEETS
-to reduce crime youth
ASBO aim: prevent anti- social behaviour (graffiti, vandalism , intimidation)
-appeal to middle class for law and order
-make it appear Labour also strong on crime unlike only consv
-97 pledge
What were the main changes in society under New Labour?
-setting wages
-religious tolerance
-immigration rose
-childcare
-recognition of same sex civil partnerships
-removal of section 28
-24 hour licensing for pubs
-cannabis classification relaxed
To what extent did economic development show that Britain became an multicultural society?
Did:
-was recognised immigrants brought economic benefits, filling labour shortages and skill gaps whilst not using public services as they were young, active and healthy
-EU immigration into Britain was mirrored by opportunities for British citizen to work, live and study in the rest of the EU
-globalisation brought foreign business , economy’s and employment closer interconnected together
-set up small businesses
-social chapter opt back in (did opt out for maximum working hours)
-PFIs?
Not:
-took jobs away from locals. -Undermined workers wages by accepting lower levels of pay
-migrant watch: stressed the danger of large amounts of immigrant rapidly arriving. which caused public services (health and education) to be overstretched
(Was heavily exaggerated by press daily express , and published as propaganda )
To what extent did social/cultural developments show that Britain became an multicultural society?
Did:
-diversity statistics by (2007)
• 2.5% Indian
• 2% Pakistan
• 1.8% African
• 1.1% Caribbean
•0.7% Chinese
• 0.4% Arab
-schools, local councils, and corporate organisations celebrated ethnic diversity
-noting hill carnival (popular)
-Mosques became common in towns with large Muslim populations
- London successfully bid to host 2012 Olympic Games: sold itself as modern multicultural city
-(2001) election 3% view immigration as vital issue
(MIX: concerns lack of integration of some communities was brought into sharp focus by 7/7 terrorist attack on London. 3/4 perpetrators were British born citizens)
Not:
-ethnic diversity unevenly spread in Britain: 40% London had ethnicity other than white, but only 10% rest of country. Was as low as 5% in south west
-growing worries about lack of integration of some communities and the security threat that this might bring.
-public concern about level of immigration from Eastern Europe and its effect on employment, crime and public services reflected in newspapers (daily express)
-migration watch: pressure group research and inform public about migration issues
-pressure groups , internet blogs, and some sections of national press claim it threatens ‘British way of life’ and that cultures live in segregated communities around the country
-(2007) according to polls 30% view immigrant as an issue
To what extent did political developments show that Britain became an multicultural society?
Did: (2002) Paul boetang, appointed to chief secretary to the treasury (first black cabinet minister)
-opt in for social chapter
-European Convention on human rights incorporated into human rights act (1998)
-(2001) election, according to polls , 3% of electorate view immigration as an issue
-(2006) post of Secretary of State for local government communities was established to work toward better social cohesion
-(2005) British citizenship test introduced to achieve greater integration and teach ‘British way of life’
Not:
By (2007) electorate considers immigration as an political issue (poll had 30% vote as vital issue)
–Britain foreign policy (IRAQ) dangerously alienated British Muslim and Britain’s needed to do more to ensure all communities integrated and prevent extremism
-(1998) macpherson report on Stephen Lawrence murder published
-(2001) BBC, chairmen Greg Dyke, recognized BBC failure to attract people from different ethnic backgrounds, describing the cooperations workforce as ‘hideously white’
-Rising eurosceptism was reflected in growing support for UKIP
-(2006) attempted to introduce national security card (heavily opposed but only scrapped until 2010)
-(2006) terrorism act: increase amount of time suspect could be held without charge to 28 days, was 48 hours before for all but 14 before for terrorists
-opt out for maximum working hours
-human civil rights act (1998) meant some laws were difficulty interpreted and led to adjustment of British laws (had to adjust anti-terrorist legislations 2004)
What is meant by ‘multiculturalism’?
Policy or process whereby the distinctive identities of cultural groups within society are maintained /supported
-Differently ethnicity have equal rights and opportunities
-various ethnic groups collaborate and enter into dialogue with one another without feeling their own culture is being sacrificed
(Arguably intended to create a tolerant society?) does it?
What are the reason for immigration and the types of people who immigrated into Britain
Reasons:
-Globalization
-famine
-regional conflicts
-expansion of European Union
-Commonwealth
Types of immigrants:
-skilled workers
- professionals
-foreign students at British universities
-asylum seekers displaced by wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
-people from new states who acceded to EU in 2004 & 2007
-those from commonwealth (non whites)
-peoples whose families were already living in Britain
