The welfare state Objective To understand the benefits

The welfare state Objective : To understand the benefits and drawbacks of the welfare state. To understand the alternative of individuals providing for themselves.

Starter Discussion Can you think of goods and services which some people may: �i) not be able to afford or �ii) may choose not to consume if left to the free market?

The welfare state – What is it? �The Welfare State is the government ‘safety net’ which exists to care for people who need support. �It ensures people can have an ‘acceptable’ standard of living.

The welfare state – how it works. The welfare state allows people to access certain goods and services by either: 1. giving them benefits to be able to afford the goods and services they need 2. giving them free or low cost access to government provided goods and services.

UK Government Benefits – Examples �Incapacity Benefit �Child Benefit �Housing Benefit �Cold Weather Payments

Free or low cost government provision - examples �Health Care �Education �Public Information (e. g. Libraries / BBC) �Public Transport

Watch the following video http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=HYR 3 o. Y_V 6 l. I&feature=player_embedded

Benefits of the Welfare State �Reduces Poverty �Reduces Inequality �Improves Health of Population �Creates Social Cohesion

Drawbacks of the Welfare State �Loss of incentives �Higher Tax Burden �Welfare dependency �State not as efficient as Private Sector

Alternatives to the welfare state �Increase the role of voluntary sector. �Welfare reform – means testing. �Increase incentives for people to provide for themselves i. e. private healthcare /pensions / education.

Your task… �In 2 groups you are to research the recent spending review in the UK, looking in particular at welfare �Group one are the coalition government (Conservative and Liberal Democrats) and group two are the Labour party �Group one are to argue for the spending cuts �Groups two are to argue against the spending cuts �You have this lesson and Sunday to complete and will present back on

Activity – Just a minute �You will each be given a topic to talk about �You must write a speech which is one minute in duration but �You can not repeat any words during the speech. �You must not pause during the speech