This essay attempts to; discuss the dominant social policy perspectives that have influenced social policy making in the UK since 1945. Explain how different perspectives have responded to healthcare as a social problem. Describe two key policies that have been promoted since the inception of New Labor in 1997, and examine contemporary social policy relating to health. In 1941 Sir William Beveridge was commissioned by the then Conservative Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, to conduct a study of the welfare system of the time. The Beveridge Report paved the way for the welfare state as we know it and was important in shaping the social democratic ideology that remained prevalent until the mid-1970s. The key principles behind most social democratic ideology are those of equality and collectivism. In practice, the state manages the economy using Keynesian economic principles, manages the provision of welfare through the welfare state and takes on a regulatory role in people's lives. This protects citizens from extreme poverty and prevents serious economic inequalities. New Right ideology came to the fore in the mid-1970s as a result of a severe recession and the reality of an economic crisis. The 1979 general election was won by the Conservative party led by Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher served as prime minister until 1990 in a political period that became known as Thatcherism. Two key thinkers of the era were Milton Friedman and Friedrich von Hayek who saw the "free market" as central to the success of Thatcherism and believed that government should focus on economic issues, thus allowing "market forces" to shape society . Since the beginning of the 1990s a new politically central center......of paper......and medical treatment, help and advice through centers that are easy to access. The 2009-2010 NHS Annual Review found that NHS Direct recommended 49% of callers go to less urgent/lower cost points of care, saving 2.4 million GP appointments and 1.2 million ambulance journeys (www.nhsdirect.nhs .uk 2010). The disadvantages of these direct services are that they are extremely expensive and offer only a reactive form of health care, while not providing sufficient health education. Works Cited Pilkington A & Yeo A Sociology in focus Haddington, Scotprint. 2004.Pugh P & Garratt C, Keynes a graphic guide London, Icon books. 2009.Walsh M, Stephens P & Moore S Social Policy and Welfare, Stanley Thornes Ltd. 2000www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.