The Liberal Reforms, Part 1 - Children's Charter, OAP Pensions

Question 1

What was the only help available for poor people?

Answer 1

Entry into the workhouse

Question 2

Why did children often not receive an education?

Answer 2

They had to go to work at an early age - in addition to this, families could not afford doctors or medical care

Question 3

What was the issue in the Boer War?

Answer 3

Half of the men recruited to fight in the Boer War were turned down on medical grounds - due to malnutrition

Question 4

What were the political parties present at the beginning of the 1900s?

Answer 4

Labour (VERY small amount of votes, didn’t have many MPs before 1906 but then grew in popularity), Conservative and Liberals

Question 5

When did the Liberals first start to introduce reforms?

Answer 5

1906 - they won a landslide victory against the Conservatives

Question 6

In 1906, how many Labour MPs were elected?

Answer 6

29 - this allowed them to help with reforms introduced by the Conservatives.

Question 7

Why was “New Liberalism” introduced?

Answer 7

The Liberals had to fight with the Labour Party for working-class support - New Liberalism favoured government intervention to help the poor.

Question 8

Why was it necessary for the population to be in a healthy state?

Answer 8

In case of another war - the Boer War had shocked people due to the amount of people unfit to serve

Question 9

Which two politicians worked hardest to back the bills for the reforms?

Answer 9

Winston Churchill (Liberal until 1920s and then became Conservative) and David Lloyd George

Question 10

When was the School Meals Act introduced?

Answer 10

1906 - provided free school meals for the poor children

Question 11

What changed in schools in 1907?

Answer 11

Free medical inspections were provided to children. Clinics were often built for these.

Question 12

When was the Children’s Charter passed, and what is it also known as?

Answer 12

1908, the Children and Young Persons’ Act

Question 13

What did the Children’s Charter change?

Answer 13

It made it illegal for children under the age of 16 to buy cigarettes, go into a pub, buy fireworks, or beg. It also set up special juvenile courts and facilities - young offenders wouldn’t be tried in an adult court or jailed with adults (they were prone to abuse).

Question 14

When and what was the act which allowed old age people to live with a higher quality lifestyle?

Answer 14

1908, Old Age Pensions Act

Question 15

What age did a person have to be to claim a pension?

Answer 15

Over 70

Question 16

What was the scheme referred to as (didn’t have to pay)?

Answer 16

Non-contributory; did not have to pay into it, and money was raised through ordinary taxes

Question 17

In the 1908 budget, how much was set aside to pay for pensions?

Answer 17

£1,200,000 of tax money

Question 18

How much did single people get from a pension?

Answer 18

5 shillings per week, if they had an income of less than £21 per year

Question 19

How much did married couples get from a pension?

Answer 19

7s6d (7 shillings and 6 pence) a week, if they had a yearly income of less than £21

Question 20

How much did you have to earn per year to not be eligible for the pension?

Answer 20

Over £31 per annum

Question 21

When was the first pension paid?

Answer 21

1 January 1909

Question 22

What did Labour say about the pensions?

Answer 22

They felt 5 shillings was too little - still the scheme was incredibly popular

Question 23

What did David Lloyd George say about the pension?

Answer 23

“We are lifting the shadow of the workhouse from the homes of the poor”.