Labour's Social Policy

Question 1

Social security

Answer 1

The Family Allowances Act 1945-

Benefit for each child after the first
Wartime coalition gov passed it but came into force under Labour

The Industrial Injuries Act 1946-

The National Insurance Act 1946-

Universal system of benefits
Unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, maternity benefit and pension
Compulsory contributions made by employers, workers and gov

The National Assistance Act 1948-

Poor law
Welfare safety net for all living in poverty e.g. Long-term homeless, unable to work due to disability and single parents

Question 2

When was the Family Allowances act?

Answer 2

1945 under cons but Labour passed it

Question 3

When was the industrial injuries act?

Answer 3

1946

Question 4

When was the national insurance act?

Answer 4

1946

Question 5

When was the National assistance act?

Answer 5

1948

Question 6

Housing

Answer 6

New Towns Act 1946
Town and country planning Act 1947 
Aimed to build 400,000 new homes
A year 
1948- only 230,000

Question 7

Health

Answer 7

NHS 1946

Came into effect in July 1948

Question 8

Education

Answer 8

Implemented Butler Act 1944
1947 leaving age 15
Elitist attitude - grammar
Gov recruited 25,000 new teachers and upped spending

Question 9

Impact

Answer 9

✔️ minimum standard of living
✖️ NIA act flat rate benefit
By 1951 2.5 million working people relying on benefits from National Assistance Act

✖️ No ministry of housing
Aneurin Bevan became responsible but priorities health reform
1951- built approx 1 million, 750,000 families without adequate housing

✔️ NHS
First year 18,000 GP's 
187,000 prescriptions 
Treated 8.5 million dental
5.25 million glasses 
✖️cost £250 million (double expected) 
Gov charges on glasses and dental care