2A - Provision of Social Welfare, 1918-1945

Question 1

In what state was welfare provision in 1918?

Answer 1

• Victorian Poor Laws - workhouses
• Liberal Reforms of 1900
• Unemployed men were entitled to unemployment benefit, unemployment insurance 1911 - only for 15 weeks
• Given by charities and volunteers mostly

Question 2

What did the National Insurance Act of 1920 ensure?

Answer 2

National Insurance was extended from 4 million covered to 11.4 million. Benefits increased to 75p for unemployed men and 60p for unemployed women. Still low.

Question 3

How did DLG justify the extention of the state through the NIA 1920?

Answer 3

• Need to support high unemployment
• Fears that widespread poverty would lead to revolution as it had done in Russia in 1917
• Popular desire to support soldiers who had fought in the war and risked their lives for GB

Question 4

What was imposed in 1931?

Answer 4

National Economy Act - means test for unemployed, 10% cut in benefits. Could only claim for 6 months

Question 5

What impact did the 1934 Unemployment Act have?

Answer 5

300,000 people protested in South Wales alone due to cuts of LT unemployed

Question 6

What impact did the 1931 National Economy Act have?

Answer 6

Change in the system = low income families relied on incomes of all adults in the family to survive. Lost benefits if children worked so forced to move out.

Question 7

What was introduced in 1934?

Answer 7

Unemployment Act - reversed 10% cut but had to reapply after 6 months for benefits. Means test of LT unemployed.

Question 8

What does the 1935 suspension on the unemployment benefit cut suggest?

Answer 8

That there was popular pressure that protected welfare provision

Question 9

What was published in 1942 and what did it recommend?

Answer 9

Beveridge report published and offered a blueprint for a more socially equal PW GB. Highlighted 5 evils of squalor, ignorance, disease, want and idleness

Question 10

How did evacuation help welfare provision?

Answer 10

Highlighted inequalities to middle class families, saw conditions of WC children but initial evacuations left children without clothing or food

Question 11

What impact did rationing have on welfare provision?

Answer 11

Improved diet, gave wc more food than they’d had before, everyone equal