Welfare and reform - 1908 - Interwar Flashcards
1911 National Insurance Act
WW1
Was paid into by the government, employer and employees. It provided benefits and healthcare through the funds.
However it was only available to workers earning less than £160 a year and only applied to 6 industries. Did not insure the workers families.
1917 Ministry of Construction
WW1
Established to build a better Britain after WW1 and deliver the liberals promise of ‘homes fit for heroes’.
It was largely accepted that the government had a role in rebuilding.
What was an evident problem with the 1911 National insurance Act after WW1.
Many of the 3.5 million returning troops were not eligible for benefits provided as they had not worked in any of the 6 industries.
Out-of-work donation 1918-1920.
A short term solution to the returning troops and unemployed, issued dole money but under this name until they found work.
Was paid out of taxation and borrowing.
1920 Unemployment Insurance Act
Developed as a longer term solution for the returning soldiers and unemployed. It covered those not covered by the National insurance Act.
2/3 workers were eligible to claim insurance.
How did the 1920 Unemployment Insurance Act fail.
The post war slump resulted in insufficient funds and overwhelming pressure. It became means tested.
By 1930 3 million claims had been rejected because of the test
1934 Unemployment Act
Separated treatment of insurable from long term employment.
Part 1 provided 26 weeks of benefit payments to the 14.5 million workers who had paid into the scheme.
Part 2 created a national unemployment board to help those with no entitlement to insurance benefits.
By 1937 the UAB had assisted 1 million people. Was means tested.
1908 Pensions Act
State pensions were introduced.
However did not support the widows and children of the deceased. Also criticised for being means tested.
Later improved in 1925 to provide 10 shillings a week for those aged 65-70 and provided for widows and children.
1919 Housing and Town Planning Act
Aimed to build 600,000 homes in order to meet demand .
Aimed to build the -homes fit for heroes’.
Only 213,000 homes were built before the Geddes Axe stopped it.
There was a housing shortage of 822,000 houses in 1923.
Labour and Conservative Housing Acts. 1923, ,24 and ,30
Used subsidies to encourage the construction of public and state owned housing.
Between 1919-1940 4 million homes were built 3/4 being made by the government.
1919 Ministry of Health
After war recruitment revealed 40% of men were deemed unfit for combat the ministry was set up to coordinate healthcare.
However the ministry lacked authority and power to reform healthcare.
1918 Fisher Education Act
- Increased school leaving age to 14
- Providing Nursery schools and contribution schools for workers aged 14+ to continue their study for 1 day a week.(X Geddes Axe)
- Scrapping fees for elementary school education
- Compulsory health checks for pupils and punished people who employed children
1926 Hadow Report
Recommended different departments for children at ages 7 and 11.
Led to the creation of primary schools ages 5-11.
1944 Butler Act
Aimed to create a meritocratic system. Believed a child’s ability was fixed. The school they would go to was determined by a H+ test.
Raised school leaving age to 15.
Created a Tripartite system:
* 70% went to secondary moderns
* 5% went to T schools
* 20% received a highly academic education at a Grammar school.
Created esteem issues.
