BRITISH WELFARE STATE

British Welfare State

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British Welfare State

Introduction

The concept of government where the key role is played by the state for the promotion and protection of social and economic well-being of its people is known as a welfare state. This idea is centered on the principles that equal opportunities should be given, and there should be an equal distribution (Sykes et. al, 2001, pp. 73). Apart from that, the people who are underprivileged should also be helped out with the acquisition of necessities of life. This term encompasses diverse forms of social and economic organizations.

During the 19th century, the welfare in Britain was commonly characterized by provision that was voluntary, where friendly and mutual societies worked to deliver a range of benefits (Fraser, 2009, pp. 36). People and local authorities voluntarily run hospitals, and take services from a national system of doctors on panel who are given financing from contributions of health insurance. These are set by the authorities and state and societies that are mutually owned worked to collect them (Field, 2011, pp.n.d).

It is important to note the different perspectives of delivery of welfare which is done collectively and is free of the state. During the mediaeval times, a lot of the hospitals were run by the church, and it was difficult to understand the term 'hospital' according to today's terms. At that time, these places were actually communities where the frail and elderly were looked after (Sullivan, 1996, pp. 92).

One of the first main administrative units used in Britain was Parishes, and it had responsibilities towards the poor. This right was enshrined by the Elizabethan Poor Law through the practice of sending less sturdy and sturdy beggars back to their parish of origins in order to seek help (Field, 2011, pp.n.d). This system was largely modified but still stayed intact till an offensive was brought on by the Utilitarian reformers. The new law of poor formed in the year 1834 was the outcome of their campaign and a principle of 'less eligibility' was implemented in it (Mommsen & Mock, 1981, pp. 17). This meant that help would only be provided in the new system if the person went to the House, and the poor law institution was commonly known to provide a standard of living below the one on which poorest of the people were able to survive.

The government of welfare in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a state where the central government has the authority to direct most of the activities of government. The structure of how the services work in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland still differs when it comes to certain aspects (Spicker, 2012, pp.n.d). Each of these regions has both an administrative department and a Secretary of State placed in central government, and its own executive and assembly which are responsible for taking the role in the regions of some central government ministries. The laws which apply in Wales and England are different from the ones in Northern Ireland and ...