Liberal Welfare Reforms Flashcards
What were the working and living conditions like for the poor in 1890’s?
The conditions at the beginning of the 1890’s were dreadful. They were cramped and filthy and nobody should have been forced to live in them. People couldn’t afford to have their own home so were forced to share cramped houses.
How were social reformers reacting to the social problems of the 1890’s?
The slum clearance came, which gave houses working toilets and piped water. Even though people didn’t want to help the poor reformers like the salvation army, Charles Booth and Joseph Rowntree didn’t agree.
What were the reforms to help the young and their limitations?
Free School Meals
Medical Checks In scohools
Children and Young Persons act - protect vulnerable children from neglect.
Only half of authorities acted on the reforms as they were not compulsory. So many didn’t do it and things stayed the same.
How effective were the reforms?
Were because they helped people, changed lives and perceptions, brought change, improved the country
However….
Not all authorities acted on the reforms as they weren’t compulsory, Very strict rules to qualify, Benefits were only for a short time and then things went back to normal, people just ignore the reforms.
Who was Seebohm Rowntree?
Family were quakers in the chocolate industry. Inspired by Booth. He worked out a way to discover who was poor by how much money they earn. They were either in primary or secondary poverty.
Primary - worked but still couldn’t provide for family.
Secondary - worked but spend their money on other things.
He wanted to change the government statistics on poor people and peoples perceptions of them. It wasn’t their fault they were poor.
Who was Charles Booth?
Came from wealthy family in Liverpool. When he moved his business to London he was astonished by what he found. He found the government statistics (that 25% of people lived in poverty) were wrong it was actually 35%. He set up a team and worked for 17 years investigating poverty. He found that it was not peoples own fault they were poor and perceptions changed. He campaigned for pensions, free school meals and for government to help poor people.
Why did the Liberals introduce welfare reforms?
^ The scale of poverty - Life expectancy was 45 (very low) Worried about the future generation.
^ Attitudes towards poverty changed - People realised the poor were not to blame for their poverty.
^ The Boer War- Army was filled with poor people who were unfit to fight.
^ Increasing Information - People being introduced to the truth and what it was like.
^ An effective workforce - to complete with bigger countries they needed an effective workforce and Germany had done this in the past.
^ Social reform - People like Rowntree, Booth and Lloyd George were more popular and changed peoples opinions.
^ Political Rivalry - Other parties offered people better lives so Liberals had to change to stay in power.
^ Key Individulals - The people who campaignd to help the poor were from rich backgrounds and knew the difference between wealth and poverty (Booth,Churchill, Lloyd George)
What were the reforms to help the old and their limitations?
Old Age Pensions - Received money over a certain age to ensure they could live well, got around 5 shillings a week when over 70.
Many didn’t qualify as they were too young or received some form of money. Plus most people didn’t react the age of 70 anyway.
What were the reforms to help the unemployed and their limitations?
Labour exchanges 1909 - job centres
Health insurance - so could receive pay and medical treatment if couldnt work.
Families weren’t entitled to free treatment, Only lasted for a limited time, Work was only for short periods of time, not paid a lot of money.
What were the opposition to the Reforms?
Rich people weren’t happy they were loosing out and having to pay more tax. They believed that everyone should look after themselves at if you were poor it was your fault.
What was the education act? (year)
1906 - Free School Meals
When were school medical services for kids introduced?
1907
What is the Children and Young Persons Act? (year)
1908 - protected children form abusive parents and neglect. Prosecuted parents for these crimes.
Problems the poor faced?
^poor housing ^Irregular work ^Low wages ^Old age with no pensions ^illness and accidents with no help or insurance.
What helped poor people?
^Banardos ^workhouses ^ charities ^ Poor law (legalised workhouse by government) ^ churches.
