The Beveridge Approach versus The Workfare Approach Essay

The Beveridge Approach versus The Workfare Approach - Essay Example Nevertheless, it is cautioned that matters are not that straightforward. Often left-wingers favour practices that disable institutional support that may affect their broader ideology and there are right-wingers who may favour it as it positively affects their broader policies. This is only a particular instance. (An Introduction to Social Policy, Undated). In November, 1942, Sir William Beveridge presented his report entitled "Social Insurance and Allied Services" to His Majesty the King. In it he mentioned that there were three guiding principles that he had used to formulate his policy of public social service. These are as follows. Sir Beveridge asserted that any experiences gleaned in the past must be used to build opportunities to the future. Such experience should not be restricted on the basis of any sectional interests vested in its gathering. He personally remarked of this - "A revolutionary moment in the world's history is a time for revolutions, not for patching." (The Beveridge Report, 1942) The second principle cautioned that the organisation of social insurance should be treated as only a part of overall social progress. This was so because social insurance aimed at negating all want in the British people. Sir Beveridge cautioned that 'want' was only one aspect of the reconstruction that was then necessary to put the British Empire back on its feet after the war. The other four were - disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. Then third principle was that social security w3as to be achieved by co-operation between state and individual. The state would offer security for service and contribution. It would organise security but not stifle incentive, opportunity and responsibility. It would establish a national minimum but it would leave room and encourage voluntary action by an individual to procure more than that minimum for himself and his family. (The Beveridge Report, 1942)New Labour's Welfare Policy When the 'New Labour' Party came to power in Britain in May, 1997, it did so with a considerably changed economic manifesto from its previous stint which immediately preceded its re-election. Under Tony Blair, the new labour economic policy was strongly oriented towards the supply side and the welfare state was intended to exist on the basis of steady employment provided by the pull of demand. All these changed policies were meant to