Provision of social welfar Flashcards
What provisions of welfare were there in 1918
Victorian poor laws
Liberal welfare reform of the early 20th century
What were the Victorian poor laws
Social welfare laws during the Victorian period, based largely on Workhouses
What were the unemployment insurances in 1911
Money taken out of wages to provide an income in the event of subsequent unemployment
What did the pre-war liberal’s government insurance provide
The unemployed received seven shillings a week for up to 15 weeks in a year
covered both males and females
covered around of 10% of Britain’s total working male population
What was the average 1911 wages
20 shillings a week
What was the unemployment insurance act 1920
National insurance was extended from 4 million workers to 11.4 million workers
Benefits increased to 75p for unemployed men and 60p and unemployed women
Why did the 1920s unemployment act increase state’s role
1911 DLG thought the innsurance would be self-financing
However 1920 act covered millions of non-contributors
How were the extensions of state spending due to the 1920s insurance act rationalised
Need to support the unprecedently high levels of unemployment
Fears that extreme and widespread poverty would lead to revolution like Russia
Popular desire to support WW1 soldiers
What was controversial about welfare in the early 1930s
Size of the welfare budget due to the state of the British economy
What did Philip Snowden propose in the early 1930s
Proposed a 10% cut in unemployment benefits
Arthur Henderson led a cabinet revolt against the proposal taking down the labour government
Who was Philip Snowdon 1931
The chancellor
What did the national economy act 1931do
Introduced a means test for unemployment benefits
What were the public’s issues with the 1931 national economy act
(4)
Disqualified short-time workers which affected men who worked in collieries or shipyards and dependent on welfare
Made it so benefits were only claimed for 6 months where people would need to reapply
Made 10% cuts in benefits for the short term unemployed
Introduced transitional payments
What were consequences of the 1931 national income act
Low-income families with working who relied on the incomes of the adults would have no unemployment benefits to live on
What did the 1934 unemployment act do?
Built on changes made by the 1931 national income act
What were the changes made by the 1934 unemployment act
Reversed the 10% cut in wages made by the 1931 national insurance act for the first 6 months
after 6 months the long-term unemployed could apply to the unemployment assistance board for further benefits
What were consequences of the 1934 unemployment act
300,000 people in SW demonstrated against the long term cuts
1935 January the government introduced standstill regulation
What effect did WW2 have on the state
Enlarged the role of the state as the government became responsible for directing the economy
What large operations did the state co-ordinate in WW2
evacuation and rationing
What was evacuation
Movement of children from poor urban centres to safer areas in the countryside
How many children did the initial evacuation move in 1939
1.5 million children
What were issues with the initial evacuation in WW2
Evacuation failed to cater for the needs of the evacuees as it was presumed that the families and charities would supply it
What changed about later evacuations
Children were provided with essentials
social workers provided for distressed children
When did the government introduce food rationing
January 1940
What were the first items to be rationed
Bacon, butter and sugar
What items were later rationed
cooking fat, meat, team, jam and eggs
What system was implemented to buy rarer foods in WW2
Points system
What foods were easy to access in WW2
Bread
Vegetables if you could grow in your back garden
What happened to diets as a result of rationing
Improved as less healthy foods were less available and supplemented by healthier foods
Alcohol and tabacco was also in short supply
When were effects of rationing on the public mood
There was feeling that rationing equalised society and everyone was making an effort for the war
However this mood darkened when rationing was continued after the war
What did the 1942 beveridge report set out
Set out a vision of post war Britain where the state welfare conquered the five evils
What were the 5 evils of squalor
Ignorance
Want
Idleness
Squalor
Disease
What did the beveridge report advocate for
A new relationship of cooperation between the state and the individual
Universal benefits and rejecting the 1930s mean test
What were reactions to the Beveridge report
It was extremely popular among the British public who hoped for a Britain free of poverty
How was the Beveridge report used as propaganda
British troops were sent it overseas to encourage them to fight for a better Britain
What was the 1945 Labour Manifesto called
Let us face the future
How did the 1945 Labour manifesto connect economic success and welfare
Claimed welfare would promote economic growth and efficiency as healthy workers would be more efficient
What was the family allowances act 1945
Created child benefits of 5 shillings a week for each child to either parent
What did the national insurance act 1946 do
Made unemployment and sickness benefits available for all workers
Paid a state pension to all men over 65 and women over 60
What was a flaw in the 1946 NI act
the amount people paid into the scheme was the same if you were rich or poor
What was the industrial injuries act 1946
Gave workers the right to compensation for accidents and injuries in the workplace
What was the National assistance act 1948
Offered welfare to those who didn’t work
Who were included in the national assistance act 1948
The homeless, disabled and unmarried mother
When was the NHS formed
July 1948
When was there consensus on welfare
1939-1964
What was the consensus on welfare 1939-1964
Welfare was an essential ingredient to furthering modern Britain
Did welfare spending end poverty 1939-1964
No you shmuck it clearly didn’t
What were the effects of welfare consensus 1939-1964
percentage of total GDP rose from 3-4%
Why did Wilson not increase welfare spending in 1964
Found deep rooted economic problems hidden by the previous tory chancellor
What economic issues did Wilson find in 1964
An £800 million budget deficit
What did Wilson’s advisors suggest when the economic issues were uncovered in 1964
Cutting welfare spending in order to save the economy
Why did Wilson refuse his economists requests 1964 and what did this lead to
He made a commitment to expanding the welfare state
However this led to severe economic issues and a growing resentment for the growth of welfare costs
What did the 1970 National insurance do
Gave pension rights to 100,000 people who were covered in the 1948 National assistance act
Introduced an attendence allowance for people who need long-term care at home
Increased child allowance to mothers
Made rent subsidies available for low income families in private accomodation
What did Heath’s government inherit in 1970
Mounting inflation and Trade union problems
In 1970 what did right wing conservatives say about the welfare state
Welfare state was leading to a reduction of individual freedom
What arguments did Sir Keith Joseph make against the welfare state
It would lead to a restriction in individual freedom
Politicians would take more money in taxes to fund a larger welfare states
Why did right wing politicians oppose welfare spending
The gov would spend money less efficiently than private industries
More money spent by the gov the more inefficient the economy
Welfare required high levels of borrowing
Welfare created a dependency culture
How did the end to consensus in welfare come about
Due to Heath’s failure to win the 1974 election and replaced him with Thatcher
Thatcher was less sympathetic towards the welfare state
What were some welfare policies 1974-1979
25% rise in pension rate
Invalid care allowance 1975
Universal child benefit 1975
What was the IMF
The international monetary fund
In 1976 what were the IMF requests for a $4 billion loan to the gov
Cut in spending in housing and benefits
