Security in Pension Provision: A Critical Analysis of UK Government Policy

2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
PATRICK JOHN RING
Keyword(s):  
Government Policy ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Niklas Luhmann ◽  
Ontological Security ◽  
Third Way ◽  
Labour Government ◽  
Anthony Giddens ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk

The Labour government has often argued that it is attempting to find a ‘third way’ in politics, appearing to take its inspiration from Anthony Giddens and, in relation to Labour's pensions policy, Giddens' notion of ‘positive welfare’.Noting that the government maintains that ‘pensions are all about security’, and that it has declared the importance of this position throughout its reform of UK pension provision, this article critically examines the nature of the ‘security’ its reform is likely to deliver. Using the work of Giddens, it notes the importance of the concept of ontological security, and the relevance of trust to security. From this basis, and drawing upon the work of both Giddens and Niklas Luhmann, it goes on to consider whether the government's reforms of the three pillars of pension provision in the UK – state provision, occupational provision and personal provision – are capable of delivering greater security in pension provision.It concludes that, quite apart from the potential criticisms of the conception of positive welfare itself, the government's apparent adoption of such an approach has failed to appreciate adequately the importance of ontological security to any understanding of welfare. As a consequence, it is suggested that the practical outcome is reform that is likely to create much less security in pension provision than either Giddens' approach, or indeed regular government pronouncements, might suggest.

scholarly journals Rhetorical uses of precise numbers and semi-magical round numbers in political discourse about COVID-19: Examples from the government of the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
pp. 095792652110131
Author(s):  
Michael Billig
Keyword(s):  
19Th Century ◽  
British Government ◽  
Political Incentives ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Round Numbers ◽  
Magical Power ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The 19Th Century

This paper examines how the British government has used statistics about COVID-19 for political ends. A distinction is made between precise and round numbers. Historically, using round numbers to estimate the spread of disease gave way in the 19th century to the sort precise, but not necessarily accurate, statistics that are now being used to record COVID-19. However, round numbers have continued to exert rhetorical, ‘semi-magical’ power by simultaneously conveying both quantity and quality. This is demonstrated in examples from the British government’s claims about COVID-19. The paper illustrates how senior members of the UK government use ‘good’ round numbers to frame their COVID-19 goals and to announce apparent achievements. These round numbers can provide political incentives to manipulate the production of precise number; again examples from the UK government are given.

The promise of partnership

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-257
Author(s):  
Denis Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Call Centre ◽  
Third Way ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Partnership Approach ◽  
Development Of Partnership

‘Partnership’ is a word that crops up with increasing frequency in government, trade union and management circles in the UK. For many it neatly embodies both the practice and sentiment of the so-called ‘third way’. In the workplace, a partnership approach to industrial relations has been offered as a neo-pluralist alternative to the unitarism of Human Resources Management. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is an active proponent of partnership and the government has created a fund to support the development of partnership at the workplace. This article sketches some theoretical underpinning for the practice of partnership. To shed some light on the prospects for partnership it draws on recent UK experience and includes a case study of the development of a partnership between UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, and Vertex Data Sciences, one of the fastest growing call centre operators in the UK.

Geospatial data in the UK

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Jozefowicz ◽  
Merlin Stone ◽  
Eleni Aravopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Western Country ◽  
Geospatial Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain the rise of geospatial data, its importance for business and some of the problems associated with its development and use. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews a certain amount of previously published literature but is based mainly on analysis of the very large number of responses to a consultation paper on geospatial data published by the UK Government. Findings The findings are that while there is strong appreciation of the potential benefits of using geospatial data, there are many barriers to the development, sharing and use of geospatial data, ranging from problems of incompatibility in data definitions and systems to regulatory issues. The implication for governments and for providers and users of geospatial data relates to the need to take a long-term approach to planning in resolving the issues identified. Research limitations/implications The research findings are limited to the UK, but similar findings would be likely in any other large Western country. Practical implications This paper confirms the need for a strong and coherent approach to the planning of geospatial data and systems for the establishment of a clear basis for the different parties to work together and the need to clearly separate the roles of the government in establishing frameworks and standards and the role of the private sector in developing applications and solutions. Social implications Society is increasingly dependent on the use of geospatial data, in improving living standards and dealing with social problems. The recommendations identified in this paper, if followed, will facilitate these improvements. Originality/value The value of this paper is the tight synthesis that it provides of a wide ranging and complex range of responses to the UK Government consultation and placing these responses in the wider context of the development of geospatial data.

UK initiatives to reduce antimicrobial resistant infections, 2013-2018

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the local, national and global actions from the UK to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on human health. Design/methodology/approach – Synthesis of UK government policy, surveillance and research on AMR. Findings – Activities that are taking place by the UK government, public health and professional organisations are highlighted. Originality/value – This paper describes the development and areas for action of the UK AMR strategy. It highlights the many interventions that are being delivered to reduce antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistant infections.

The UK's proposed foreign direct investment regime: the tide is turning

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78
Author(s):  
Veronica Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
National Security ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk

The UK Government has recently published a White Paper proposing the creation of a new foreign investment regime, under which the Government would have powers to review a very broad range of transactions if they give rise to a national security risk. This article reviews the key provisions of the Government's proposal and also highlights the broader global context, with a number of other countries also expanding their own foreign investment regimes.

Countering Extremism in British Schools?

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Holmwood ◽  
Therese O'Toole
Keyword(s):  
Expert Witness ◽  
Trojan Horse ◽  
The Other ◽  
Professional Misconduct ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
State Schools

In 2014 the UK government launched an investigation into the “Trojan Horse” affair: an alleged plot to “Islamify” several state schools in Birmingham. Twenty-one schools in Birmingham were subjected to snap Ofsted inspections and included in the various inquiries into the affair. The book's authors — one who was an expert witness in the professional misconduct cases brought against the teachers in the school, and the other, who researches the government's counter-extremism agenda — challenge the accepted narrative, arguing that a major injustice was inflicted on the teachers, and they go on to show how the affair was used to criticize multiculturalism and justify the expansion of a broad and intrusive counter-extremism agenda. The government cites the 'plot' in its argument about the need to develop a new counter-extremism strategy that confronts extremist ideology and not just threats of violence. However, the Kershaw Report and some other commentators argue that there was, in fact, no evidence of extremism.

United Kingdom to strengthen cybersecurity nationally

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Public Private Partnerships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
A Priority ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Naming And Shaming

Subject The United Kingdom's new cybersecurity strategy. Significance The UK government on November 1 published its Cybersecurity Strategy for 2016-21. The new strategy doubles the previous investment in cyber to 1.9 billion pounds (2.4 billion dollars) during a time of government cutbacks, making it clear that the government regards cybersecurity as a priority. Impacts Despite serious investment, the government will still face a challenge in recruiting those with the required cyber skills. Given the expertise in the private sector, public-private partnerships will continue to be vital for protecting UK networks. ‘Naming and shaming’ cyber aggressors may become more prevalent as states seek to deter further cyberattacks. Governments may also increasingly focus on developing offensive cyber tools that can be used to counter-strike.

State intervention in UK economy could increase

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Impact ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
Policy Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Permanent Damage ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Social Recovery

Subject COVID-19 UK economic impact. Significance The UK economy is already contracting sharply as a result of the restrictions imposed by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19. In response, the UK government has announced a major programme of fiscal measures to reduce job losses and business closures. This is not designed to prevent this immediate fall but intended to reduce permanent damage to the economy. Impacts If the COVID-19 crisis persists beyond a few months, the policy response could become more complex and politically divisive. The economic and social recovery from COVID-19 will be crucial for the prime minister's survival prospects. COVID-19 has significantly increased the chances of an extension to the Brexit transition period beyond December 2020.

scholarly journals Working with family carers: towards a partnership approach

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Nolan
Keyword(s):  
Government Policy ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Community Care ◽  
Informal Carer ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Tony Blair ◽  
Late Arrival ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Partnership Approach

The use of the term ‘family (informal) carer’, as it is currently conceptualized, is recent and is largely the product of increased attention in the academic and policy literature over the last two decades. Despite their fairly late arrival on the scene, family carers now occupy centre stage in UK government policy, having being described by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, as the ‘unsung heroes’ of British life, who are essential to the fabric and character of Britain. Such recognition stems from the growing realization that family carers are the lynchpin of community care, providing 80% of all the care needed at an estimated saving to the UK government of some £40 billion annually.

scholarly journals Public Opinion about the UK Government during COVID-19 and Implications for Public Health: A Topic Modelling Analysis of Open-Ended Survey Response Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam Wright ◽  
Alexandra Burton ◽  
Alison McKinlay ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Daisy Fancourt
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Topic Modelling ◽  
Response Data ◽  
Modelling Analysis ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Survey Responses

Confidence in the central UK Government has declined since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while this may be linked to specific government actions to curb the spread of the virus, understanding is still incomplete. Examining public opinion is important, as research suggests that low confidence in government increases the extent of non-compliance with infection-dampening rules (for instance, social distancing); however, the detailed reasons for this association are still unclear. To understand public opinion on the central UK government during COVID-19, we used structural topic modelling, a text mining technique, to extract themes from over 4000 free-text survey responses, collected between 14 October and 26 November 2020. We identified eleven topics, among which were topics related to perceived government corruption and cronyism, complaints about inconsistency in rules and messaging, lack of clear planning, and lack of openness and transparency. Participants reported that elements of the government's approach had made it difficult to comply with guidelines (e.g., changing rules) or were having impacts on mental wellbeing (e.g., inability to plan for the future). Results suggested that consistent, transparent communication and messaging from the government is critical to improving compliance with measures to contain the virus, as well as protecting mental health during health emergencies.

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