Success of the Liberal Reforms Flashcards
The Young
K - The 1906 Provisions of School Meals Act - Local councils raised money to provide poor children with food.
K - In 1907 medical inspections were made compulsory in schools and in 1911 treatment was provided.
K - The 1908 Children’s charter - Cigarette ban, Alcohol ban etc.
A + Children still found a way of getting these products.
E - To evaluate, the Liberal reforms were effective against tackling child illness and poverty. 14 million meals were provided to all the children who desperately needed food. These reforms were more successful than the reforms to tackle old age since many retired at the age of 50 due to the demands of physical labour. This meant that many who needed relief didn’t get it.
The Old
K - The old age pensions Act of 1908 provided over 70s who were unable to work with up to 5 shillings a week.
K - Almost one million Claimants by 1914 - It was clearly favoured.
A + Many were excluded because they failed to meet the qualifications.
E - To evaluate, the reforms were an effective start to ending old-age poverty. Historians such as A. Taylor argue that the support did not suffice however, it certainly benefited the old by helping them escape extreme poverty and stopped the need for poor houses.
The Sick
K - The National Insurance act of 1911 - For every 4 pence invested workers were given 9 pence.
K - The National Insurance Act also provided treatment and medicine when they were off work.
A + The insurance only covered the worker themselves, not their family.
E - To evaluate, the reforms did a better job of tackling old age poverty than poverty caused by illness. This is mainly because support for the sick had to be paid for, many couldn’t afford insurance as they prioritised food and vitals. Pensions required no investment and were therefore more successful.
The Employed
K - The 1906 Workman’s compensation act was extended which let workers claim compensation for injuries at work.
K - In 1908 Miners secured an 8 hour working day.
E - To evaluate, the Liberal reforms increased the rights workers had and the conditions in which they worked. The reforms gave the employed more control over legislation, the working class began to get treated more fairly and respected. However, the many employers refused to pay minnimum wage and in many industries hours were still long and conditions were still poor.
The Unemployed
K - The National insurence act of 1911 paid those who were out of work
E - To evaluate, the reforms did benefit the unemployed but this help was limited. By 1913 over 2 million people had been insured by unemployment, these people however, belonged to specific trades such as shipbuilding or construction, many people who were unemployed were left with no relief and the relief that was given was often not enough.
