Liberal Social Reforms Flashcards
What were the principles of new liberals
State intervention to correct economic inequalities
Positive freedom
Supported by the work of Booth and Riwntree
Targeted poorest in society
Did liberals create welfare state
No - it was not universal only targeted at poorest in society
What are the features of welfare state
Universality Adequacy Centrally controlled Modern comparison Responsibility
What was school meals act 1906
Pro Con
PRO - gave 14 million meals by 1914
CON - was not compulsory and councils didn’t implement due to price. Fewer than half of councils were providing
Pro cons medical inspections In schools 1907
PRO - medical inspections became compulsory
CON - gov had to make grants available I’m 1912 before councils would offer treatment
Pro con children’s act 1908
PRO - Prevented the sale of tobacco and alcohol to children
Set up borstels (child prisons)
It also meant you couldn’t insure children
CON - it was too vague - children could still be sold alcohol in sealed containers
Old age pensions 1908
PRO - helped families help old relatives without having to spend their own limited money. They were non-contributory and state funded
CON - had to be over 70, lived in UK for 20 years and had to have ‘worked hard enough’ according to employers
Coal mines act 1908
PRO - 8 hour day for mines
CONS - there were still arguments about pay
Trade boards act 1909
PRO - set up minimum wage for tailoring, box making and chair industries
CON - no other industries
Labour exchanges
Set up job centre (430 across country by 1913)
3,000 people a day were finding work
National insurance 1911
Pro - unemployment insurance became 7 shillings a week for 15 weeks
CONS - not enough according to booth and rowntree. Didn’t cover those in long term employment
How extensive were the liberal reforms by 1914
Started process of improving lives of poor children, poor workers and poor old people. They did not fix problem however
Fishers education act 1918
Pro - school leaving age became 14
CON - this was not long enough to be in education
Addison Housing Act 1919
PRO - 175,000 social housing built
CON - gedes axe. Not as many houses as promised
Old Age pensions 1919
PRO - the amount given was increased
CON - age was still 70
