Central Government

Central government is arguably the most important determinant of social policy, both through its direct legislative and policy-making functions and through its ability to influence social policy in other ways, both direct, such as fiscal controls, and less direct, such as emphasising particular goals. This chapter discusses the variety of influences upon social policy making at the central government level, including ministers and the executive, the civil service and Parliament and their ability to make and control policy. The increased role of the judiciary and judicial mechanisms in recent years is considered as a developing factor in social policy.