Creating a Welfare State 1918-79

Question 1

What was the Beveridge report 1942

Answer 1

It was a report commissioned to investigate poverty and social welfare and to propose ways to improve the social welfare system.
The Report identified 5 giants that needed to be tackled: Want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. Formed the basis of the post war welfare system.

Question 2

Name acts introduced by Labour government 1945-51 to improve social welfare

Answer 2

The Family Allowances Act 1945
The National Insurance Act 1946
The industrial injuries act 1946
The National Assistance act 1948
NHS created 1948

Question 3

What did the New Right argue about welfare

Answer 3

It created a culture of dependency and the poverty trap. Waste of money as it inefficient and wrong for tax payers to pay for it. It discouraged initiative and hard work.

Question 4

What impact did WW2 have on welfare and peoples attitudes towards the poor

Answer 4

Government recognised that poverty was not solely result of individual failings or moral deficiencies. It became a mainstream view that government should be active in peoples life’s and that welfare was absolutely necessary.

Question 5

what was the Butler education act?

Answer 5

Tory MP R.A. Butler made access to secondary education possible for children of less wealthy parents. State secondary education would be paid out of general taxes. Compulsory education was extended to 15.

Question 6

How far was the education system improved 1918 to 1979

Answer 6

There was big improvements:
1918 Education Act made education free and compulsory up to age 14 for the first time.
In the 1940s and 50s there was a big expansion of higher education with new Uni’s and introduction of student loans.
1944 Education Act created a tripartite system which provided more specialized education.
In the 1960s comprehensive school system was created to provide equal education to all.
In the 1970s there was a focus on improving the quality of teaching.

Question 7

How far was the healthcare system improved in Britain 1918 to 1979

Answer 7

There was lots of improvements:
In 1919 Ministry of Health established
1948 NHS created, which meant everyone had access to healthcare
In the 1950s and 60s there were many medical advances like new drugs and surgical techniques.
In the 1960s NHS was expanded to include Mental Health.
In the 1970s there was a focus on preventing issues such as smoking.