Liberal Reforms

Question 1

Why did the liberals introduce their welfare reforms ?

Answer 1

1- Poverty
- work of researches such as seebohm rowntree - he based his research on york
- poverty was caused by the old age , illness or similar factors not simply because they were lazy or careless with money
- in york 27% of the population lived below the poverty line
- it was caused by large families , unemployment, illness, death of wage earners , old age and low wages
2- The Boer war
- 1899-1902
- Britain had to defend its territory in south africa
- 70% of the people who volunteered to go were unfit
3- Fear of socialism
- used welfare reforms as a way to fight socialism by keeping the middle class happy and healthy and try to solve unemployment , pensions and education
4-international rivalry
- compete with Germany who had a strong industrial power and were looking to extend their empire
- social reforms was introduced in germany which led to better health and education

Question 2

Key individuals ?

Answer 2

Churchill - in 1908 became the president of the board of trade
- David Lloyd george - chancellor in 1908

Question 3

How effective were the liberal reforms for old people ?

Answer 3

• dlg introduced old age pension for people over 70 with no other income would receive 5 shillings per week - had to be a citizen for over 20 years
• failed to give pensions to people who didnt work to the best of their ability during their working life and also if they had more than £31 per year- it made them very independent and so they didnt have poor relief to worry about even tho the pensions were hardly generous
• number of people applying for outdoor relief fell by over 80,000
  Also no contribution was needed

Question 4

How effective was it for children ?

Answer 4

• free school meals so they would eat one decent meal a day 1906
• local education service had medical checks and then extended to free treatments- but medical care varied across the country as it depended on the sch 1907
• young persons act which gave money to their parents if they died and protected them from anyone abusing them 1908
• act also set up special courts and homes for young people

Question 5

How effective was it for unemployment ? 1909

Answer 5

• labour exchanges - unemployed people could sign up and they could find out about available work
• it put 3000 people into jobs every working day

Question 6

Workers and the national insurance act. How effective was that ?

Answer 6

Provided money for those who couldn’t work - 7 shillings a week for 15 weeks
Sick pay - 26 weeks 10 shillings with free medical treatment
- only those who contributed benefited
- paid into it if paid less than 160 a year
- it didnt cover family sickness

Question 7

Reactions to the reforms ?

Answer 7

1- conservatives opposed the cost and the idea of the nanny state
- doctors were not convinced about health insurance
- prevented national insurance going to widows
- workers resented the deduction of their wages and so did rich people
However it removed the west cases of poverty and made life bearable for poor people who had nothing before