Social Issues 2

Question 1

Did labour rebuild the connection with the trade unions ?

Answer 1

No, the percentage of the workforce with membership of a union fell from 29% to 26% though the decline was much smaller than it had been previously.
New labour did not repeal to the trade union legislation that had been passed by the conservative government between 1979 and 1997 intact they were critical of strike action by trade unions.
New labour preferred its pro business attitude and avoid the link that the unions had created during the winter if discontent

Question 2

How did the trade unions react to new labour

Answer 2

Some unionists were extremely critical of the new labour for continuing to peruse policies such as outsourcing and PFI which had been introduced by the conservatives.

Question 3

How did the Labour Party continue with privatisation

Answer 3

The air traffic control organisation was sold off
London Underground moved to a public-private partnership
Discussion about selling the Royal Mail

Question 4

Why was the transport workers union expelled from the party

Answer 4

Because some of its local branches had decided to donate to other more left with political parties

Question 5

What were all employers now entitled to under new labour

Answer 5

To request yo to 3 months unpaid parental leave to care for a child who’s under 8.

Question 6

What did the Labour Party welcome as a chance for economic growth

Answer 6

Globalisation - allowing Britain to develop a knowledge academy utilising new technologies to increase productivity.

Question 7

How did new labour support people into work

How was this criticised

Answer 7

Blair expressed it as “ work for those who can, security for those who can’t”
The new deal programme targeted young people, older workers, the disabled and lone parents and promised to help them find work though training or guidance or a job placement.

• critics argued that the support was limited and complained that the sanctions imposed if people didn’t take up the support were unfair and counter productive.

Question 8

What was the emphasis on making work pay

Answer 8

In 1998 the labour government introduced a national minimal wage. A low pay commission was set up to oversee and set the wage, but it was set at an extremely low rate.
In addition brown introduced tax credits to people with low incomes, those with children or with a disability were targeted.

Question 9

How did the number of women in parliament change in 1997

Answer 9

Rose to 120, double the previous number, of these 101 were labour MPs. Labour introduced all women shortlist to half of what is consider d its most winnable seats in a deliberate attempt to try and increase number of women in parliament.
Margaret Beckett was foreign secretary, the first women to serve in this role.

Question 10

How were women seen as the main beneficiaries of labours new policies

Answer 10

Childcare provision was extended by 2007 all 3 and 4 years olds were entitled to 12.5 hours a week of free nursery which was to rise to 15 by 2010.
Women were given pension credits when unable to work because of caring responsibilities.

Question 11

How did critics argue there were limited progress for women

Answer 11

On issues such as the pay gap, with women still earning 87% of a man in 2007.
New labours empathise on laid employment undervalued the unpaid work in the home and with the family which women did, one study found that women did 3x as much work as men in the household.

Question 12

How was youth focused on by new labour

Answer 12

Tony Blair had 3 school age children himself and a fourth one in 2000.
Not long after victory Blair hosted a celebrity party on Downing Street attendees included Noel Gallagher, Vivienne Westwood, Helen Mirre.
Key policy to end social exclusion and the social exclusion unit was set up in 1997- led to sure star centres aiming to help families with children by providing information to ensure there ready for school.
1999 Blair pledged to end child poverty in 20 years
Connection services advised teenagers what was availed when they left school. Labour aimed for 50% of youth to go to uni producing a highly skilled works force.

Question 13

What were the concerns with youth

So what was introduced

Answer 13

The number of NEETS had increased to 20% by 2007

ASBO - put limits on what the defendant could do eg- curfews, breaching an asbo was a criminal offence. Aimed to prevent anti social behaviour.
By 2005 46% of asbos went to under 17 years olds.

Question 14

When was the nature of multicultural Britain being debated between 1997-2007

Answer 14

Globalisation had accelerated the movement of people, so did the consequence of famines and regional conflicts. The expansion of the eu had allowed people from central and Eastern Europe to move to Britain.

Question 15

Who were the migrants moving to Britain

Answer 15

Skilled workers and professional coming to fill in skills shortage
Families of immigrants already living in Britain
Foreign students
Asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Iraq

Question 16

What evidence suggests that Britain’s as comfortable with being a multicultural society

Answer 16

2002- first black cabinet minister
Mosques were a familiar feature of many towns and cities
Notting hill carnival attracted millions
London bid in 2012 to hold the only bids

Question 17

Was there racial tension ?

Answer 17

The macpherson report 1998- about the murder of Stephan Lawerence identified problems with institutional racism in the metro politician police. Greg dyke the BBC chairman acknowledged that his workforce was hideously white in 2001

Question 18

What event signified that immigrants were being alienated

Answer 18

Terrorist attack in London 2005- 52 people were killed as 4 suicide bombers attacked 3 underground trains and a bus. 3 of them were British born citizens, the leader of the group Mohammed Khan had been a well respected community worker in West Yorkshire

Question 19

What were the two responses to the terrorist attacks

Answer 19

1. People wanted to find out why men like Khan did what they did and had become so alienated and how relations with ethnic minorities could be improved
2. Need for greater security. In 2006 labour passed the controversial national identity card act arguing that identity cards were needed to fight terrorism.
   Terrorist act of 2006- held the amount of time the suspect would remain without charge to 28 days,

Question 20

What did the terrorist incidents highlight

Answer 20

Highlighted border concerns bot multicultural Britain. Pressure groups, internet blogs and some sections of the national press claimed this was a problem that was threatening social cohesion and the British way of life.
In 2001 immigration was seen as an issue by 3%
In 2007 - 30-%

The daily expressed associated migrants with criminal behaviour and with taken jobs away from local people or driving down wage levels by accepting low pay.

Question 21

How did economists argue that Britain benefitted from migrants

Answer 21

They filled labour shortage
Brought valuable skills
Set up useful small business
Argued most migrants were active, young and heathy and did not have heavy demands on public services
Also migration flowed both ways 1/3 of polish migrants returned to Poland and English people moved abroad to work and to buy retirement houses in Spain.