GCSE Sociology - Poverty & The Welfare State

19th Century Political view was ==> laissez-faire (the government didn't interfere in people's lives).

Health, Education, Elderly Care dealt with by the individual themselves.

After WW2 the BEVERIDGE Report was released.

Identified 5 Giant Evils:

• Ignorance
• Want
• Squalor
• Disease
• Idleness

This led to the establishment of The Welfare State.

Now many people say there isToo MuchGovernment interference... we now live in a "Nanny State".

You will need to learn ALL of these...

• Removed Absolute Poverty
• Everyone has access to medical care via the NHS
• Free State Education
• Slum housing has been Demolished
• People are given the means to train for jobs
• State pensions enable us to live in Financial Security
  

AND all of these!

• Doesn't provide sufficient money to those in need
• Vulnerable people leave institutional care without the support of alternative care structures
• Introduction of charges for eye and dental checks
• Move towards the principle of selective provision
• NHS hospital waiting lists are increasing
• Unemployment & Homelessness still RIFE