Issue 5 🇬🇧

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

• Between 1906-14, the Liberal government of Herbert Asquith introduced a series of social welfare reforms which were designed to improve the lives of the British people.
• These reforms were targeted at improving conditions for the old, the young, the sick, the unemployed and the employed.
• Some historians argue that these reforms led to great improvements whilst others argue that their impact was greatly limited
• this essay will consider these arguments
  to prove that while limited, the Liberal reforms were a significant break from the past

Question 1

The “old - knowledge and topic sentence

Answer 1

Before 1908, the old had no support whatsoever and were expected to fend for them-selves.
- the liberals introduced the Old age pensions in 1908 which paid people over the age of 70 who had lived in Britain for over 20 years and had been out of prison for the past 10 years
- additionally, less pension was paid to slightly higher earners and anyone with an income of over £31.50 got no pension

Question 2

The “old” - analysis and counter analysis

Answer 2

• The old age pension did improve the lives of British people because those with an income of over £21 were paid 5 shillings (25p a week) and couples were given 7s and 6d.
  -however, very few people lived to 70 which was the threshold to receiving the pension

Question 3

The “old” - evaluation

Answer 3

Overall, the introduction of pensions was a significant improvement to the lives of the British old people when compared to the poor-law relief because it was extremely popular amongst the elderly working classes, as no contributions had to be made. However, Booth and Rowntree had previously established 7 shillings being the ‘poverty line’ and so 5 shillings a week was insufficient to prevent old people from falling into poverty

Question 4

The “sick” analysis and counter analysis

Answer 4

The introduction of this insurance improved the lives of the “sick” British people, as that those entitled to the benefits received a free medical examination by doctors who agree to care for a ‘panel’ of insured workers
-however, it’s argued by some historians that the weekly contributions was in fact a wage cut and made poverty worse in some families

Question 4

The “sick” - evaluation

Answer 4

To evaluate, it’s clear that the national insurance act of 1911 did have major limits to it which undermined its effectiveness. Although, some people we’re entitled to this insurance, those who have earned more than £160 a year were still expected to provide for their own needs. Additionally, those who used up their 26 weeks’ entitlement were compelled to seek the poor law. However, we know the poor law was ineffective in dealing with poverty, as only 10% of poor people sought out the help

Question 4

The “unemployment” -
knowledge

Answer 4

• The 1908 labour exchange act was similar to job centres and provided a place where the unemployed could find out what jobs were available in their area
• the 1911 insurance act of un- employment benefit provided a combination of state help and contributions from the worker.

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

In conclusion, on the one hand it could be argued that Liberals eased the problem of poverty for the young, the sick, the unemployed and the old.
- It’s certainly true that the Liberal reforms marked a change away from the laissez- faire to a more interventionist approach and there were key areas of success.
- Such as, some historian argues that these successes were old age pensions and safeguards against unemployment and ill health
- on the other hand, the reforms had serious limitations. The fact that aspects of poverty, such as housing were not dealt with with by the legislation added to the idea that the reforms missed their target and areas. - An example is dealing with the low wages, which is an inherent cause of poverty proves that the success of the reforms were limited.
- Overall, Liberals has attempted to do pass welfare reforms to pass reforms to improve the lives of the British people, but these weee mostly too little and, as argued by Historian AJP Taylor, ‘broadly speaking, the state only acted to help those who could not help themselves. It left the adult citizen alone.’

Question 6

The “sick” - topic sentence and knowledge

Answer 6

When people got sick in Britain, they received no help and were still expected to work.
- A system of NATIONAL INSURANCE was set up whereby insured workers could claim payment from the state in time of sickness and This applied to workers earning less than £160 a year.
- The insured worker was entitled to 10 s. per week for a period off work for health reasons of up to 26 weeks. This was paid for by the worker himself