The Making Of Modern Britain #8: Reforms - The Sick

Question 1

What inspired Lloyd George (Liberals) to help the sick?

Answer 1

• His own father had been a victim of Tuberculosis, which at this time killed 75000 people a year
• bad health cost many their jobs and eventually their lives

Question 2

What did The National Insurance Act 1911 (Part 1) do? (3)

Answer 2

• it was an insurance scheme where the employer, employee, and government would contribute to a fund of money when the worker was in good health
• when the worker was unable to work, amounts of money were paid out to the worker for a limited period of time
• this money was to help the worker through a difficult period when they could have fallen into poverty

Question 3

What was the contribution breakdown of The National Insurance Act 1911 (Part 1)?

Answer 3

• employees contributed 4pence/week if they earned under £160/year
• employers contributed 3pence/week
• government contributed 2 pence/week

Contributions were recorded by placing stamps on cards

Question 4

What benefits were given as part of The National Insurance Act 1911 (Part 1)?

Answer 4

• 10shillings/week for 13 weeks, and 5shillings/week for another 13 weeks if ill
• free medical treatment from a doctor chosen by a local insurance commission
• 30 shillings maternity benefit per birth of child

There were 12pence in a shilling and 20shillings on a pound at this time

Question 5

2 successes of The National Insurance Act 1911 (Part 1)

Answer 5

• insurance meant government did not have to pay the full cost
• it allowed workers to contribute to their own care: this gave workers pride and made it feel respectable as it was not ‘something for nothing’

Question 6

2 weaknesses of The National Insurance Act 1911 (Part 1)

Answer 6

• the government’s scheme competed with friendly societies who ran their own schemes to save for times when workers were ill
• trade unions objected to the fact that working men were being expected to contribute to the reform
• no provision for hospitals