Governments

• Conservative government, 1979

  • Believed in reduced state intervention and nuclear family is best
  • Thatcher's government influenced by NR, echoed concerns of Murrary's 'culture of dependency'
  • Means testing = get benefits if household is below a set level
• Conservative government, 2015

  • Continued with Coalition policy of austerity > family should take more economic responsibility for children
  • Cap on child benefits, 3 or more children = no increase in child tax or housing benefits
  • Smith = limited child benefits would promote behavioural change, discourage from having children