Social Policies Flashcards
What made the introduction of social policies difficult for the post-war government?
Much was expected of the government in such a short time and perhaps it is therefore not surprising that they fell short of the tasks they had been set. The need for reconstruction and economic devastation the war had brought hindered any developments.
Which two areas of social policies were seen as successful in?
Education and Housing.
What was 1918 Fisher’s Education Act?
Raised the school leaving age from 12 to 14, with a local authority option of 15. The act also increased grants allowing more secondary schools to be built.
Which act increased maternity benefits?
1918 Maternity & Child Welfare Act
What was the 1919 National Insurance Act?
Health insurance was extended to those earning up to £250 a year.
What did the 1920 Unemployment Act do?
Extended the 1911 act to more occupations, and the majority of workers were now able to claim for up to 15 weeks.
What was the 1919 Addison’s Housing Act?
-called for more low rent council houses to be built to help the housing shortages, led to 70,000 a year being built.
-subsidies of £260 a house were granted by the government
-total of 230,000 houses were built
What was the issue of unemployment?
-Unemployment started to rise after the post-war boom, which meant the economic landscape of Britain in 1922 restricted further reforms.
-1920- 700,000 unemployed men 1921-1.9m unemployed men.
Why did Lloyd George introduce ‘The Geddes Axe’?
The combination of falling trade and government’s lack of income in the face of mass debt from the war meant that government expenditure needed to be cut, so George brought Sir Eric Geddes to chair a committee on national expenditure in August 1921.
What was the Geddes Axe?
Three reports were published in February 1922 that recommended £87m in cuts. However, the government only aimed to cut £52m- 10% of total spending.
What was the impact on the Geddes Axe on social policies?
The Axe led to the ultimate unravelling of George’s social policies, ending housing subsidies and introducing long hours for coal miners as mines were denationalised, after having been under national control during the war.
