Issues which affect the delivery of social policies and practices
4.1 Health
Health relates to the general condition of the body and mind. Good health is freedom from disease or ailment (Dictionary, 2017). On 1st July 2007 the United Kingdom government introduced a new law which made smoking in public places and workplaces illegal. The anti-smoking legislation was introduced to improve health statistics and reduce the risks associated with second hand smoke inhalation (Smoke Free England, 2017). The benefits and progress shown by the introduction of the smoking ban include:
• The public began to be more aware of the dangers of passive smoking.
• Smoking rates began to decline following the introduction of the ban and have continued to fall each year
• Attendances to A&E with smoking related conditions have
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A decision was also made to stop advertising cigarettes and tobacco by removing them from display and removing any branding from the packaging. This will help to reduce the number of people taking up smoking particularly children (Russell, 2017).
Those opposed to the smoking ban have criticised the legislation for being a patronising approach developed to encourage state-enforced behaviour-modification rather than to protect the non-smokers in society and improve health levels (Hitchens, Hoggart, 2007).
4.2 Deprivation
Deprivation is a state of being prevented from possessing, enjoying or owning something (Merriam-Webster, 2017).
In 2013 the government began to gradually introduce a new system of welfare known as Universal Credit which would amalgamate the following working-age benefits into one,
• Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Income support
• Child tax credit
• Working tax credit
• Housing benefit (BBC,