Social_Policy

Social Policy The Government of The United Kingdom runs the country. This means that it has the task of developing and implementing policies and for drafting laws. It is also known as the Executive. Politics in the United Kingdom takes place within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, in which the monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) is head of state and the prime minister is the head of the UK government. Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the UK. Its responsibilities include checking work of the government and debating, examining and approving new laws. This is also known as the Legislature. The procedure of forming a government starts with the political party that wins the most seats in the general election. There party leader will become the new Prime Minister. The Prime minister will appoint ministers who will work in a government department where they will run and develop the public policies and services. Central Government responsibility and financial support for Local Government in England now falls to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; in Scotland to the Scottish Executive; in Wales to the Welsh Assembly Local Government Group; in Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Executive: Department of the Environment The arrangement of local government in England is the result of a variety of incremental measures which have their origins in the municipal reform of the 19th century. During the 20th century, the structure of local government was reformed and rationalized, with local government areas becoming fewer and larger and the functions of local councils amended. The European Union is a partnership that consists of 27 democratic countries who work together to benefit the citizens of their country. The main aims are to encourage economic and social progress among its members, security and common foreign positions, judicial and police co-operation in criminal matters and European citizenship. The EU can affect what rights people have at work or they could stop the health services directive which will affect how the NHS budget is spent. The EU has many more effects on UK law on everyday life, for example; increasing electricity, council tax and water bills, higher food prices, lists of warnings on food, banning vitamins and minerals and the car booster seat requirement. The European Union has had a negative effect on the UK due to its fishing policy which has a large effect on our economy because members of the EU can legally fish in English waters. However many places in the UK have benefited from the European Union and their money by being regenerated (Leeds, Gateshead). The Department of Health in the UK works extensively with other Government departments where there are shared objectives in Research and Development. The Department of Health aims to improve the health and welfare of people in England. The Department for Education is responsible for improving the focus on all parts of policies affecting children and young people which is part of the Government's aim to deliver outstanding education. The Department for Education is also responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education. It previously existed between 1992, when the Department of Education and Science was renamed, and 1995 when it was merged with the Department for Employment to become the Department for Education and Employment. The department is led by the Secretary of State, currently Michael Gove. The Permanent Secretary is David Bell. The Department for Environment is responsible for air quality, fisheries, flooding forestry rural development and much more. Its mission is to allow everyone to live within our environmental means. It is most clearly demonstrated by the need to tackle climate change internationally. The Department of social security has a long experience the fields of technical cooperation activities, research and policy development with issues dealing with social security. The government have recently been tightening up on social security in order to put more money into education and health. Policy making is: 'the process by which governments translate their political vision into programmes and actions to deliver 'outcomes' - desired changes This concern with achieving real changes in people's lives is reflected in the Government's overall strategy for improving public services