New labour governments 1997-2010

• New Labour government of Tony Blair


  Had elements of continuity (of New Right policies) and change, particularly in relation to recognising family diversity
• Continuity policies


  • Cuts to lone parent benefits: This policy focused on trying to get lone mothers into work, rather than receiving benefits
• Significant areas of change


  • Working family tax credits replaced the married man's tax allowance - no longer incentivising one partner to remain at home and instead recognising dual earner households as the norm
  • Paid paternity leave: introduced 2 weeks paid paternity leave in 2003
  • A range of legislation recognising gay relationships and same-sex families, such as the equal age of consent in 2001, Adoption and Children's Act 2002, repealing Section 28 in 2003 and the Civil Partnership Act 2005