Welfare and Reform - WW2 and Post War Consensus Flashcards
Describe the Beveridge report
The Beveridge report was set up on Churchill’s request by William Beveridge, a liberal politician.
The report aimed to introduce ‘Protection for all from the cradle to the grave’
It also described the need to slay 5 giants of:
- Want (Through National insurance)
- Disease (The NHS)
- Ignorance (Better education)
- Squalor (By rehousing)
- Idleness (Through Full employment)
What was the precursor to the NHS during wartime
Wartime helped create a consensus on healthcare reform underpinned by the Emergency Medical Service introduced in 1939 to provide first aid to air raid casualties.
Allowed resources to be pooled and appealed to Doctors to work with the government through persuasive wages
1944 Butler Act
Education reform aimed to tackle the giant of ignorance. Raised school leaving age to 15, secondary education made free and universal. It was meritocratic so they thought a child’s ability was fixed and followed a tripartite system; pupils would take a 11+ exam to determine what school they would go to.
What schools could you go to as part of the tripartite system set up by the 1944 Butler Act
- Technical schools; very few opened because they were opened - 5% pupils
- Modern schools; gave a general education - 70% pupils
- Grammar schools; highly academic education, stayed on until 16 for O level exams then A level - 20%
1945 Family Allowance Act
Introduced child benefits ( support for families with children)
The 1946 National Insurance Act
Paid for through taxes - the government provides support (benefits) in cases of sickness, unemployment and retirement etc.
1946 National Health Service Act
Have healthcare to everyone paid into by a compulsory tax but free at the point of use. Allowed for the creation of the NHS in 1948 by Nye Bevan.
How did Housing improve by 1948
Government dedicated to meeting housing quotas. By 1951 1 million quality council homes were built. 4/5 homes built by the state
