Social Policy

• What does social policy refer to?

  Plans and actions of state agencies like health and social services
• How do social policies typically affect families?

  They influence aspects like marriage, divorce, and family structure
• What are some examples of social policies that affect families?

  • Laws governing marriage and divorce
  • Child protection policies
  • Childcare and education policies
  • Taxation and benefits legislation
• What significant change did the 1969 Divorce Act introduce?

  It made getting a divorce much easier
• What was required for a divorce before the 1969 Divorce Act?

  One partner had to prove the other was 'at fault'
• What change occurred in 1984 regarding divorce?

  A divorce could be granted within one year of marriage
• What rights did the Civil Partnership Act 2004 grant to same-sex couples?

  Rights and responsibilities similar to those in civil marriage
• How many same-sex civil partnerships were formed between 2004 and 2013?

  60,938
• What significant change occurred in 2013 regarding same-sex couples?

  They were allowed to marry on the same basis as opposite-sex couples
• What does the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2014 allow?

  Same-sex couples to marry and convert civil partnerships to marriages
• What was the minimum age of marriage raised to in 2022?

  18 years old
• What is the penalty for forcing a child to marry under the Marriage and Civil Partnership Minimum Age Act 2022?

  Up to seven years in prison
• How long is the statutory maternity leave entitlement in the UK as of 2023?

  52 weeks
• What is the pay rate for the first six weeks of maternity leave?

  90% of the mother's salary
• How long is the paternity leave entitlement for fathers?

  Up to two weeks
• What is Shared Parental Leave?

  Up to 50 weeks of leave shared between parents
• What did the Employment Protection Act of 1975 introduce?

  The first maternity leave legislation in the UK
• What was the minimum statutory maternity leave introduced in 1993?

  14 weeks for all pregnant women
• What significant change occurred in 2003 regarding paternity leave?

  Male employees received paid statutory paternity leave for the first time
• What is the Child Benefit policy in 2023 for parents earning over £60,000?

  They must pay back all child benefit in extra taxes
• What was the rate of child benefit introduced in the Child Benefit Acts (1975)?

  £1/week for the first child and £1.50 for each subsequent child
• What change occurred in 2013 regarding child benefit?

  Child benefit became means tested for those earning over £50,000
• What are the current child benefit payment amounts in 2024?

  £25.60 for the first child and £16.95 for each subsequent child
• Until what age are child benefit payments awarded?

  Up to age 16 or 20 if in further education
• Who is eligible to receive child benefit payments?

  Everyone, whether working or on Universal Credit
• When did Child Benefits increase in line with inflation until?

  1998
• What significant change did the Labour government make to Child Benefits in 1998?

  They increased the first child rate by more than 20% and abolished the Lone Parent rate
• What happened to Child Benefit rates after 2010?

  They have been frozen
• What change was made to Child Benefit effective from 7 January 2013?

  Child Benefit became means tested
• What is the income threshold for partial withdrawal of Child Benefit?

  £50,000 per year
• At what income level do individuals receive no Child Benefit at all?

  Over £60,000 per year
• How much is the Child Benefit payment for the first child in 2024?

  £25.60 a week
• How much is the Child Benefit payment for each subsequent child in 2024?

  £16.95 a week
• Is there a limit to the number of children for whom parents can receive Child Benefit?

  No, there is no limit
• Until what age are Child Benefit payments awarded for children?

  Up to age 16, or up to age 20 if in further or higher education
• Who is eligible to receive Child Benefit payments?

  Everyone, whether working or in receipt of Universal Credit
• What additional tax do those earning £50,000 or more pay related to Child Benefit?

  A 'child tax credit charge'
• What happens to the Child Benefit for those earning £60,000 a year?

  The additional taxes cancel out the entire amount received
• When was Universal Credit introduced?

  In 2013
• What benefits did Universal Credit replace?

  Income support, housing benefit, working tax credit, and child tax credit