Attlee's Ministry Flashcards
Welfare state
One in which the government tries tor provide the best posible social services for everyone
How significant was the Beveridge report to the welfare state established by Labour?
Derek Fraser ‘British Welfare State was not born - it had evolved’ Many of its proposals were just a rationalisation and extension of existing schemes -> New Liberalism 1906 reforms. Want, disease and idleness most efficiently tackled.
Outline the formation of the NHS
5 July 1948 -> System entitled everyone to free medical care in a range of services from gp’s, specialists and dentists, to hospital + opthalmic treatment
- Scheme financed mainly from taxation but some from National insurance contributions
- England + Wales divided into 14 areas each under a regional hospital board which controlled general policy
What challenges did Bevan face when establishing the NHS?
Opposition to scheme from family doctors due to salaried pay by government. Feb 1948, 90% of members of BMA threatened to boycott the whole scheme.
How did Bevan overcome challenges to the NHS?
Doctors would receive fees based on the number of patients they had on their list.
NHS costs
400 mill in the first year. Prescriptions -> 19 mill a month by 1951.
Outline the National Insurance Act (1946)
Extended the original 1911 Act to cover all adults. Scheme was compulsory; in return for a weekly contribution from worker, employer and gov. -> individual was entitled to sickness and unemployment benefit, old age pensions for women at 60 and men at 65, widows’ and orphans’ pensions, maternity allowances and death grants to help with funeral expenses.
Outline the National Assistance Act (1948)
Acted as a safety blanket for those who couldn’t afford National insurance. Set up National assistance boards to which they could apply for further assistance. Despite applicants having to undergo a ‘means test’ money for extra relief was provided by gov from taxation -> provided a whole new social security structure
Outline the National Insurance Industrial Injuries Act (1946)
Vast improvement on the old Workmen’s Compensation Acts, under which it had been difficult and expensive for a worker to prove that an injury or disability was caused by their job. Made it compulsory for both workers and employers to join the state in making weekly contributions to a fund which would provide compensation to injured workers.
How did Labour tackle education?
- Concentrated on implementing the Butler Ed. Act 1944. -> secondary ed. until age of 15 free, and providing meals and medical services in schools.
- Exam -> 11+ to select which children were thought to be suitable for grammar school ed.
- A successful Youth Employment Service set up + expansion of university and technical ed.
What were the 2 main criticisms of Labour’s approach to education?
- Education provided varied in type and quality from area to area e.g. Surrey only 15% of places were in grammar schools or technical schools
- System was divisive. View that secondary modern schools were second-class institutions to which the 11-plus failures went quickly adopted. Labour had missed out on the opportunity to introduce a comprehensive system, free from class distinction.
How did Labour manage housing?
55.4 k houses were completed in 1946. Over 284k in 1948. Bevan provided far more houses than Churchilll had asked for but his figure of 750k turned out to be an underestimation due to increase in marriages and birth rate post waw -> serious housing shortage in 1951
Outline the New Towns Act (1946)
Gov. power to decide where new towns should be built, and to set up development corporation to carry out the projects. In total, 14 new towns were operational before the end of the Lab gov’s.
Why did Labour win so decisively in 1945?
- Conservative Weakness
- Labour Strength
- WW2
Outline the Town and Country Planning Act (1947)
Bevan
- Gave the job of planning to the county authorities -> planning authorities given much wider powers of compulsory purchase, and the right to control ads and historic buildings
