It is generally accepted by majority of political historians that a post-war UK consensus on social policy between the two major British political parties of Conservatives and Labour did in fact exist during the period between 1945-79 however, it can also be argued that a new consensus has ensued since, diverging from the values and touching points previously established prior to 1979. This essay will focus on the analysis and evaluation of various different arguments advocating the replacement of the post-war consensus with that of a less ‘social’ more ‘centrist’ consensus towards the end of the Thatcher era and the beginning of ‘New Labour’. It is precisely this overlap of Conservative and Labour policies, in their attempt to re-build British
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In effect the report was the pivotal turning point in British social welfare, which when published in 1942 established the basis for post-war legislation. The report in its very essence envisaged the inauguration of a National Health Service, a comprehensive welfare plan and essentially that social security should encompass all such aspects of social welfare accordingly. Beveridge stated that: “benefit in return for contributions, rather than free allowances from the State is what the people of Britain desire. This desire is shown both by the established popularity of compulsory insurance, and by the phenomenal growth of voluntary insurance ... It is shown in another way by the strength of popular objection to any kind of means test” (Cmd 6405, 1942, p.11-12). By 1944, Churchill’s Conservative government had published a White Paper outlining its response to the Beveridge Report (Cmd 6550, 1944). Majority of the plan was accepted and passed through for legislation, that included social insurance scheme to cover sickness, widowhood, old age and unemployment. Thus the abled working population was subjected to compulsory participation and therefore would have to pay flat rate contributions in order to be eligible to claim flat rate benefits from the state (Brown, J.C. (1990), p.
In effect the report was the pivotal turning point in British social welfare, which when published in 1942 established the basis for post-war legislation. The report in its very essence envisaged the inauguration of a National Health Service, a comprehensive welfare plan and essentially that social security should encompass all such aspects of social welfare accordingly. Beveridge stated that: “benefit in return for contributions, rather than free allowances from the State is what the people of Britain desire. This desire is shown both by the established popularity of compulsory insurance, and by the phenomenal growth of voluntary insurance ... It is shown in another way by the strength of popular objection to any kind of means test” (Cmd 6405, 1942, p.11-12). By 1944, Churchill’s Conservative government had published a White Paper outlining its response to the Beveridge Report (Cmd 6550, 1944). Majority of the plan was accepted and passed through for legislation, that included social insurance scheme to cover sickness, widowhood, old age and unemployment. Thus the abled working population was subjected to compulsory participation and therefore would have to pay flat rate contributions in order to be eligible to claim flat rate benefits from the state (Brown, J.C. (1990), p.