AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Social issues: workers, women and youth; the extent to which Britain had…
Full specification wording
2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007 – The Era of New Labour, 1997–2007 (A-level only): Social issues: workers, women and youth; the extent to which Britain had become a multicultural society
During the New Labour era (1997-2007), social dynamics shifted significantly.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
During the New Labour era (1997-2007), social dynamics shifted significantly. For workers, the introduction of the National Minimum Wage (1998) and signing of the Social Chapter improved basic rights, though manufacturing decline continued. Women saw increased political representation (e.g., 'Blair's Babes') and improved maternity rights, yet the gender pay gap persisted. Youth culture was characterised by expanding higher education access (target of 50%) but also rising student debt and concerns over anti-social behaviour (ASBOs). Britain's multiculturalism deepened through increased immigration, notably from the EU expansion in 2004. However, the extent of integration was fiercely debated, especially following the 2001 northern town riots and the 7/7 London bombings in 2005.
What earns the marks
- Assess the impact of New Labour policies on workers, including the National Minimum Wage and the adoption of the EU Social Chapter, against the backdrop of a changing labour market.
- Evaluate the progress of women's rights and representation, noting the record number of female MPs in 1997 alongside ongoing structural inequalities like the gender pay gap.
- Analyse issues affecting youth, contrasting the push for wider university participation with the introduction of tuition fees and the criminalisation of youth culture via ASBOs.
- Examine the extent of multiculturalism by weighing the demographic changes from increased immigration against evidence of social fracturing, such as the 2001 race riots and 2005 terrorist attacks.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that New Labour achieved complete equality for women in the workplace.
Put it right: Note that while legislative progress was made and political representation increased, a significant gender pay gap and glass ceiling remained.
Treating youth experiences as uniformly positive due to education reforms.
Put it right: Contrast the expansion of higher education with the financial burden of tuition fees and the stigmatisation of working-class youth through ASBOs.
Concluding that Britain was a fully integrated multicultural society without acknowledging tensions.
Put it right: Discuss the complexities of multiculturalism, referencing both the economic benefits of migration and the social tensions highlighted by the 2001 riots and 7/7 bombings.
Exam tips
- Use specific legislation, such as the 1998 National Minimum Wage Act, to provide concrete evidence when discussing improvements to workers' rights.
- When evaluating multiculturalism, ensure you address 'the extent to which' by contrasting successful integration and diversity with events that exposed racial and religious divides.
- Connect social issues to broader political themes, such as how the introduction of ASBOs reflected New Labour's 'tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime' rhetoric.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007 – The Era of New Labour, 1997–2007 (A-level only): Social issues: workers, women and youth; the extent to which Britain had become a multicultural society lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which significant legislative measure was introduced by the New Labour government in 1999 to address low pay among workers, particularly benefiting women and young people?
Listen
During the New Labour era (1997-2007), social dynamics shifted significantly. For workers, the introduction of the National Minimum Wage (1998) and signing of the Social Chapter improved basic rights, though manufacturing decline continued. Women saw increased political representation (e.g., 'Blair's Babes') and improved maternity rights, yet the gender pay gap persisted. Youth culture was characterised by expanding higher education access (target of 50%) but also rising student debt and concerns over anti-social behaviour (ASBOs). Britain's multiculturalism deepened through increased immigration, notably from the EU expansion in 2004. However, the extent of integration was fiercely debated, especially following the 2001 northern town riots and the 7/7 London bombings in 2005. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Assess the impact of New Labour policies on workers, including the National Minimum Wage and the adoption of the EU Social Chapter, against the backdrop of a changing labour market. Evaluate the progress of women's rights and representation, noting the record number of female MPs in 1997 alongside ongoing structural inequalities like the gender pay gap. Analyse issues affecting youth, contrasting the push for wider university participation with the introduction of tuition fees and the criminalisation of youth culture via ASBOs. Examine the extent of multiculturalism by weighing the demographic changes from increased immigration against evidence of social fracturing, such as the 2001 race riots and 2005 terrorist attacks. A common slip: Stating that New Labour achieved complete equality for women in the workplace. Instead, Note that while legislative progress was made and political representation increased, a significant gender pay gap and glass ceiling remained. Exam tip: Use specific legislation, such as the 1998 National Minimum Wage Act, to provide concrete evidence when discussing improvements to workers' rights.
See it
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. EU expansion increased immigration
- 2. Record number of female MPs elected
- 3. Northern town riots
- 4. National Minimum Wage introduced
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Social equality and legislative reform
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Demographic change and immigration
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Education and youth policy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Multiculturalism and social cohesion
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Social equality and legislative reform
- Improved basic rights for workers through the National Minimum Wage and the Social Chapter, and increased political representation and maternity rights for women, though the gender pay gap persisted.
- Demographic change and immigration
- Britain's multiculturalism deepened through increased immigration, notably from the EU expansion in 2004.
- Education and youth policy
- Expanding higher education access with a target of 50%, alongside rising student debt and concerns over anti-social behaviour addressed through ASBOs.
- Multiculturalism and social cohesion
- The extent of integration was fiercely debated, especially following the 2001 northern town riots and the 7/7 London bombings in 2005.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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