The Making Of Modern Britain #7: Reforms - Old People

Question 1

When was the Old Age Pensions Act?

Answer 1

1908

Question 2

Why was the Old Age Pensions Act 1908 introduced? (4)

Answer 2

• after work, people stopped earning money, and they had been unable to save during work due to low wages
• their families could not afford to look after them
• it was humiliating to spend their final years in workhouses: often away from their partners
• social investigators like Booth supported the introduction of pensions to allow old people to live independently

Question 3

Why would there be support for Old Age Pensions Act 1908?

Answer 3

• Royal Commission on Aged Poor (1895) had provided evidence which supported the idea
• New Zealand and Germany had already introduced pensions for the elderly by 1906
• the Labour Party and trade unions supported the introduction of pensions
• by 1908, the Liberals had lost MPs to Labour on a series of by elections, some thought Labour would gain votes by providing a New old age pensions law

Question 4

4 successes of Old Age Pensions Act 1908

Answer 4

• no contributions required: given as a right
• payment made through post office where other business such as stamps took place = dignified
• by 1914, almost 1 million applying
• during 1906-1914, there was a 75% decrease in old people entering the poor house

Question 5

4 failures of Old Age Pensions Act 1908

Answer 5

• more costly than expected: govt planned to spent £6.4million, but £8.5million in first year
• for over 70s, but life expectancy in the 50s
• level of pension was too low to live on: it was 2shillings below the poverty line
• too many many qualification rules stopped people from claiming: eg no pensions it you’d been in prison = moral judgement about who deserved