Liberal Reforms

Question 1

Give details on the 1906 (provision of meals) Act

Answer 1

The government permitted local authorities to provide free school meals for poor children.

Question 2

Give details on the 1908 Children Act

Answer 2

Children were not allowed to beg, could be tried for offences in special courts and, if found guilty, could be sent to ‘borstals’ away from adult criminals. Children under 16 were not allowed to buy cigarettes or enter public houses.

Question 3

At what age were old age pensions given?

Answer 3

70

Question 4

what year was the Pensions Act passed?

Answer 4

1908

Question 5

What year was the Education Act (Medical Inspection of Schools) passed?

Answer 5

1907

Question 6

How much money were you given per week on an old age pension?

Answer 6

5 shillings/25p per week if you earned under £21. Less if you earned over £21.

Question 7

When was the Insurance Act (sickness benefits) passed?

Answer 7

1911

Question 8

How much money were you given per week on sickness benefit in 1911?

Answer 8

up to 10 shillings/50p until 26 weeks. After this the amount was halved.

Question 9

What year were people first given unemployment benefits?

Answer 9

1911

Question 10

How much money would you first receive per week if you were unemployed after the 1911 Insurance Act was passed?

Answer 10

7 shillings/35p

Question 11

Give details on the 1911 Shops Act

Answer 11

Limited working hours for shop assistants and guaranteed a half day closing per week

Question 12

What did the 1906 Workmen’s Compensation Act involve?

Answer 12

Covered 6 million workers who earned under £250 a year and meant that they could claim compensation for injuries and diseases that were a result of working conditions

Question 13

Why was the Pensions Act not effective?

Answer 13

Very few people lived to the age of 70. Most people were too old to work in their 50s.