labour polices 1997-2010

• 1997-2010 new labour policy aims


  silva and smart

  favour duel earner families but emphasize heterosexual nuclear family, parents take responsibility for children

  some support for alternative family types
• new labour policies


  introduction of Minimum wage

  civil partnership act 2004

  increase in free childcare and education
• 2003 / 2010 - paternity policies


  2003 - male employees received paid statutory leave for the first time

  amended 2010 - after the first 26 weeks the father can take 26 weeks leave if their partner returns to work
• child benefits act 1975 / 1998

  introduced a weekly payment for a child

  £1 per week for the first and £1.50 for each subsequent child - additional 50p for lone parents

  increased with inflation until 1998 where new labour increased rate by 20% and abolished lone parent rate
• adoption act 2005


  unmarried couples, including gay couples, have the right to adopt children on the same basis as married couples