An assessment of the effectiveness of the Liberal social welfare reforms

Question 1

What was the main purpose of the Liberal welfare reforms between 1906 and 1914?

Answer 1

To help the needs of the British people, particularly the poor.

Question 2

What was the major reason for the introduction of the welfare reforms?

Answer 2

Social Surveys by Booth and Rowntree showed 1/3 of people were living in poverty.

Question 3

What was the goal of the Liberal reforms?

Answer 3

To help those in need, not to establish a comprehensive welfare state.

Question 4

What was the first step towards government assistance for the British people?

Answer 4

The welfare reforms introduced between 1906 and 1914.

Question 5

What did the School Meals Act (1906) allow?

Answer 5

Local authorities could tax people to provide one free meal per school day.

Question 6

What was a success of the School Meals Act?

Answer 6

It provided needy pupils with a nutritious meal, helping them focus on learning.

Question 7

How many children were being fed each week by 1914?

Answer 7

14 million schoolchildren.

Question 8

What was a limitation of the School Meals Act?

Answer 8

It was not compulsory for all local authorities, so not all children received meals.

Question 9

What did the Medical Inspections Act (1907) make compulsory?

Answer 9

Medical inspections for schoolchildren.

Question 10

How often would children receive medical inspections under the Medical Inspections Act?

Answer 10

At least three times during their school career.

Question 11

What was a success of the Medical Inspections Act?

Answer 11

It helped diagnose killer illnesses like rickets and TB in children.

Question 12

What limitation did the Medical Inspections Act have regarding treatment?

Answer 12

While the inspection was free, treatment was not, and poor parents often couldn’t afford it.

Question 13

When was free medical treatment introduced?

Answer 13

In 1912.

Question 14

What was a major limitation of the 1912 free medical treatment?

Answer 14

Many local authorities ignored the reform.

Question 15

What did the Children’s Act (1908) aim to do?

Answer 15

It aimed to protect children from neglect and abuse.

Question 16

What key protections did the Children’s Act (1908) introduce?

Answer 16

Juvenile courts, borstals, and age restrictions on buying cigarettes and entering pubs.

Question 17

Why was the Children’s Act (1908) a success?

Answer 17

It was the first time vulnerable children were protected by law.

Question 18

What was a limitation of the Children’s Act (1908)?

Answer 18

The laws were difficult to enforce and did not help all children.

Question 19

What was the Children’s Charter in the Children’s Act (1908)?

Answer 19

A formalisation of laws designed to protect children from neglect.

Question 20

What age were children banned from buying cigarettes under the Children’s Act (1908)?

Answer 20

Under 16.

Question 21

What did the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908 provide?

Answer 21

A small pension for people over 70.

Question 22

How much did people over 70 receive under the 1908 Pensions Act?

Answer 22

Between 5p and 25p per week, depending on wealth.

Question 23

How much did married couples receive under the Pensions Act?

Answer 23

37p per week.

Question 24

How many old people benefitted from the pension by 1914?

Answer 24

970,000.

Question 25

What was a key success of the Old Age Pension?

Answer 25

Helped some avoid falling below the poverty line.

Question 26

Why was the pension seen as inadequate?

Answer 26

It fell short of Rowntree’s 35p survival minimum.

Question 27

What limited the effectiveness of the pension in slum areas?

Answer 27

Life expectancy was in the mid-40s.

Question 28

Who was excluded from receiving the pension?

Answer 28

People who hadn’t worked regularly or had been in prison.

Question 29

What did the 1911 National Insurance Act Part I introduce?

Answer 29

Health insurance and sick pay for workers.

Question 30

Who contributed to the health insurance fund?

Answer 30

Worker (4d), employer (3d), and the state (2d).

Question 31

How much was paid when a worker was sick?

Answer 31

10s/week for 13 weeks, then 5s/week for 13 weeks.

Question 32

What medical care did insured workers receive?

Answer 32

Free GP treatment and TB sanatorium care.

Question 33

What benefit was given after childbirth?

Answer 33

Wives received 30s after a baby was born.

Question 34

What was a key benefit of the Health Insurance Act?

Answer 34

Prevented instant poverty due to illness.

Question 35

What was a major limitation after 26 weeks of absence?

Answer 35

Workers had to rely on the Poor Law.

Question 36

Did families of insured workers get free healthcare?

Answer 36

No, only the worker did.

Question 37

What was a downside of the weekly contributions?

Answer 37

They reduced take-home pay and worsened poverty.

Question 38

Who helped design the National Insurance Act?

Answer 38

Winston Churchill and William Beveridge.

Question 39

What were Labour Exchanges?

Answer 39

Early job centres helping people find work.

Question 40

How many Labour Exchanges existed by 1913?

Answer 40

430.

Question 41

How many people found work daily by 1914?

Answer 41

3,000 per day.

Question 42

Why were Labour Exchanges significant?

Answer 42

Helped unemployed find jobs more easily.

Question 43

What was a key problem with Labour Exchanges?

Answer 43

Employers weren’t required to list jobs.

Question 44

What type of jobs were most offered?

Answer 44

Temporary and low paid work.

Question 45

Who benefited most from Labour Exchanges?

Answer 45

Skilled workers.

Question 46

Were unemployed workers required to use Labour Exchanges?

Answer 46

No, attendance wasn’t compulsory.

Question 47

Who paid for unemployment insurance?

Answer 47

Employers, workers, and the state.

Question 48

How many workers were covered by unemployment insurance?

Answer 48

2.25 million in specific trades.

Question 49

What was the unemployment benefit rate?

Answer 49

7s/week for up to 15 weeks.

Question 50

Where did people claim unemployment benefits?

Answer 50

Labour Exchanges.

Question 51

Why was unemployment insurance significant?

Answer 51

Recognised 'deserving poor' and state responsibility.

Question 52

What limited the insurance's impact?

Answer 52

Only covered certain trades and for a limited time.

Question 53

What happened to the system after WWI?

Answer 53

It broke down as payouts exceeded contributions.

Question 54

What group was excluded from the scheme?

Answer 54

Agricultural workers.

Question 55

What did the Workman’s Compensation Act provide?

Answer 55

Compensation for workplace injuries and diseases.

Question 56

Why was the Workman’s Compensation Act important?

Answer 56

Gave workers protection against poverty from injury.

Question 57

What were the drawbacks of the Compensation Act?

Answer 57

Hard and costly to prove employer liability.

Question 58

What did the Coal Mines Regulation Act do?

Answer 58

Limited miners to an 8-hour working day.

Question 59

Why was limiting miners’ hours important?

Answer 59

Reduced accidents from overwork.

Question 60

What was the act’s limitation?

Answer 60

It only applied to miners, not all mine workers.

Question 61

What did the Trade Boards Act establish?

Answer 61

Boards to negotiate minimum wages.

Question 62

How many workers were affected by the Trade Boards Act?

Answer 62

200,000.

Question 63

What was a flaw of the Trade Boards Act?

Answer 63

No clear definition of a ‘minimum wage.’

Question 64

What did the Shops Act of 1911 provide?

Answer 64

Weekly half-day off and 60-hour max workweek for shop assistants.

Question 65

What else did the Shops Act require?

Answer 65

Shops had to provide washing facilities.

Question 66

What was a weakness of the Shops Act?

Answer 66

Only guaranteed one half-day off per week.