Benefits of the Welfare State

     Benefits of Welfare State:

·         Poverty is reduced: As more people have access to the basic rights and healthcare that they need free of cost to them. This means the poorest members of society can avoid falling into absolute poverty.

·         Inequality is reduced: The welfare state is funded by taxation and so the wealthier are taxed more heavily and so this helps to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. This is seen as ethically correct.

·         Overall health is increased: Everyone benefits from the welfare state. The NHS provides healthcare and medical treatment effectively free of cost and so the overall health is improved. If this was left to be done privately then some people may not have been able to afford to get help and so this may result in lower overall health.