Solutions to poverty New Labour

Question 1

New Labour: Changing culture of the poor

Answer 1

Mixture of ideological influences
Based on view of Giddens- 21st century welfare would be provided by both the state and private sector
Key to reducing poverty was not to just give more income to the poor but also to help those socially excluded
Report ‘Opportunity for all’

Question 2

New Labour policies 1

Answer 2

Changing culture of the poor
Poor must adopt norms and values of mainstream culture and end their social exclusion
Anti poverty schemes to re-socialise poor eg outdoor purists for inner city children
Need to re-socialise the poor this is the motive behind compensatory education extra resources given to those suffering from a social disadvantage
Sure start centres gave free care to pregnant mothers
Poor receive positive discrimination
Investment in education was seen as the best way to break cycle of deprivation

Valentine: Blames poor, middle class bias, poor must become m/c

Question 3

New Labour policies 2

Answer 3

Making work pay
Policy of ‘welfare to work’ aim to get people off benefits and into work
People on JSA had to accept offers of work or face cuts to benefits
Minimum wage set up to remove poverty pay
Tax credits, lift families out of dependency and motivate them to work avoids poverty trap

More concerned with the prevention of poverty rather than relief