the surveys and investigations carried out by booth and rowntree - most important reason for the introduction of social welfare reforms 1906-1914 Flashcards
KU - it had been suggested that around 25% of London population was living in extreme poverty however….
the actual figure was about 30% (as found by Booth)
KU - why did the government dismiss booths findings? what happened after the government tried to dismiss the statistics produced by Booth?
booths findings were dismissed by the government as they claimed london statisticss were exceptional - Rowntree conducted a similar survey in York which came to the same conclusion however and aproximatly 30% of york’s population was found to be livving in poverty
Analysis - therefor the surveys of booth and rowentree were important reasons as to why the liberal government introduced social welfare reforms because…
extreme poverty was confirmed a national problem both of there findings were later published in books Booth’s for example in the Life and Labour of the London Poor
Counter analysis - However, the social surveys of booth and rowentree were not the most important reason as to why the liberal government introduced social welfare reforms because…
despite clear surveys and investigations being carried out, inter city areas were still focussed on most and poverty in rural areas was ignored. many MP’s were also reluctant to change there opinions about poverty with most still believing poverty was the result of ‘moral failures’ and was somthing people could avoid or provent when in reality this wasn’t the case
evaluation - Upon evaluation, the social surveys of booth and rowentree WERE important reasons as to why the liberal government introduced social welfare reforms because…
had it not been for them providing statistical information the liberals may not have seen the need for reform so soon. Booth, for example, found durring his research that only 3% of the 30% living in poverty in London were being helped by the poor law at this time
