BRITAIN: IMPACT OF LABOUR REFORMS

Question 1

IMPACT OF LABOUR REFORMS background

Answer 1

During WWII, in 1942, William Beveridge was asked by the wartime government to conduct a study into social problems in Britain at the time. The Beveridge Report became the basis of the welfare state as it identified the five giants of ignorance (lack of education) , disease (poor health) , squalor (poor housing) , want (poverty) and idleness (unemployment.)

Question 2

DISEASE background

Answer 2

The establishment of the NHS in 1948 was one of Labour’s most significant social reforms aimed at disease, especially impactful as over half of the British population had no medical coverage
The NHS had three aims: universal access, treatment of all medical problems and to be free at the point of use.

Question 3

DISEASE for and against

Answer 3

All Brits could access care and services they may have previously been denied such as glasses and maternity care.
Because of the high cost of the NHS, in 1951 Labour voted to introduce prescription charges in 1952 with some ministers resigning over the issue as it undermined the key aims of the nhs

Question 4

SQUALOR background

Answer 4

The 1946 New Towns Act was launched to tackle problems of overcrowding and slum housing.
This resulted in numerous new towns being built across Britain, including Livingston and Milton Keynes.

Question 5

SQUALOR - for and against

Answer 5

Removed people from overcrowded slums but improved not only housing quality but also improved quality of life and health
New towns were isolated from many jobs and facilities as few shops and leisure spaces were created in new towns.

Question 6

IDLENESS background

Answer 6

The Government believed that private companies should lose control of certain industries such as steel works and the rail network and that control of these industries should be given over to the government.
One by one, Labour took over control of these industries for example steel in 1948 and the Bank of England in 1946.

Question 7

IDLENESS for and against

Answer 7

Govt was able to use tax money to keep staggering businesses afloat
Helped those already in jobs rather than create new ones

Question 8

IGNORANCE background

Answer 8

In 1944, the school leaving age was raised to 15 under the Education Act, this also meant the 11+ was created.
All British students were to sit the 11+ at 11, if the student passed then they went to senior secondary school (more academic focus) and those that failed went to a junior secondary (more manual/trades focus)

Question 9

IGNORANCE for and against

Answer 9

Allowed education tailored to the needs of each child and those in poverty received an opportunity out
Richer students could access tutors to be guaranteed a pass at the 11+ and poor students were often the ones who failed the 11+ and were kept out of higher education.

Question 10

WANT background

Answer 10

In 1945, Labour brought in the Family Allowances Act, giving weekly payments to families with two or more children.
The payment was 5 shillings per week for each child except the eldest and help alleviate poverty for thousands

Question 11

WANT for and against

Answer 11

This was a huge support for those widowed during the war, and was paid directly to the mother which made it more likely to be used effectively
Did not help families with one child, payments stopped at 18 for each child, which meant that full time education could be a struggle