Welfare State Flashcards
When was the NHS founded
1948
What is welfare?
Aid given to those who need it
What is a welfare state?
Universal support from the cradle to the grave.
Who were considered the deserving poor?
Can’t work, disabled, young, too old, unemployed, circumstances that are not your fault.
Who were considered the undeserving poor?
Choose not to work, working age, able bodied, lazy, scrounger - fear that they will become dependent on the state for help.
What was the preferred method of paying for welfare?
National insurance - contributions from working people - pay in to get something out.
What is a social service state?
Minimum of support offered to those without independent means of survival. Onset economic problems meant that hopes of a welfare state was undermined.
What was peak unemployment?
3 million in the 1930s
What was set up to establish the welfare state?
Ministry of Reconstruction
Why was the 1911 National Insurance Act Set up?
Unemployment benefits
How many soldiers were there after WWI?
3.5 million
Why could many soldiers not claim benefits?
A) not worked in one of the specified industries or B) had not made sufficient contributions.
What was the Dole?
Paid out of general taxation with no link to individual contributions
What were the fears with the dole?
It would upset the budget
Where were funds diverted from?
More productive use
What was issued to returning troops and civilian unemployed?
“Out of work donation”
What precedent did the out of work donation set?
Government accepted a duty to adequately support the unemployed and it provided more money for family dependants.
What was passed in 1920?
Unemployment Insurance Act
What did the Unemployment Insurance Act do?
Developed as a longer term solution - increasing the number of workers covered would make the scheme self funding.
What was the issue with the Unemployment Insurance Act?
Timing of its passage - war slump began to bite - huge number of eligible claimants drained the fund
How many workers claimed?
2/3
What happened in 1921?
Government had to make extended payments - which were basically dole payments.
How many workers took part in strikes in 1919?
2.4 million
How did the government limit the expense?
1921 - seeking working test