Liberals Meeting Needs of British (20)

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

-attitude towards poverty in 19th century referred as ‘laissez-faire’ - leave alone, not interfere
-Most liberals and conservatives believed in concept of ‘self help’, not government responsibility to help out of poverty rather individuals
-Reforms introduced aimed to find poverty solutions
-Young, sick, unemployed and elderly
-met needs - moderate extent

Question 2

para 1

Answer 2

Group Reform Aimed: Young
KU: ‘the children’s charter’ - banned children from smoking, drinking and begging, also set up specialist juvenile court and Boston to keep kids away from adult criminals
A: harder for businesses take advantage of children, better protected by state - Harsha punishments for neglectful parents
A+: many who went to Barstow’s were stigmatised and struggled to escape crime
KU: ‘Education Administration Provisions act’ - at least three medical inspections take place during child school years, medical service run by local councils
A: detected great deal medical problems, meaning no longer unnoticed
A+: not compulsory to treat health problems so although detected, weren’t always treated

Question 3

para 2

Answer 3

Group Reform Aimed: Elderly
KU: ‘Old Age Pensions act’ - men and women over 70 with a pension depending on current financial situation
A: prevented families of elderly being dragged into poverty, previously fallen onto family *
A+: many not live long enough to get pension, life expectancy just below 50 *
KU: married couples 37p a week, single or widowed pensioners 5-25p
A: provided income to help by basic needs, e.g. food, keeping out of work and falling into poverty
EV: limited extent, although helped many escape poverty, didn’t help all, discovered from study by Rowntree pension amount fell below existing poverty lines

Question 4

para 3

Answer 4

Group Reform Aimed: Sick
KU: ‘National Insurance Act (part 1)’ - introduced 1911 and provided those absent from work with income, benefit lasted 26 weeks - 10 shillings first 13, five last 13
A: those who are ill didn’t fall straight to poverty after being absent from work, funds helped afford basic needs e.g. food
A+: benefit short term so those with long-term illness not provided after 26 weeks passed, reduced acts overall effectiveness

Question 5

para 4

Answer 5

Group Reform Aimed: Unemployed
KU: ‘National Insurance Act (part 2)’ - provided unemployed with benefits - both employer and employee paid 2.5p per week for benefit and state contributed three pence per week to cover unemployed worker
A: when worker lost job, weren’t sent straight into poverty
KU: labour exchanges opened, place where workers and employers could register needs and requirements
A: easier for people to find jobs quicker as vacancies promoted, less time spent without job so receive steady income

Question 6

Conclusion

Answer 6

Met needs to limited extent
Young - medical problems discovered rather than unnoticed, not all health problems treated
Elderly - help to afford basic needs, many didn’t live old enough to receive benefits
Sick - those unwell helped stay out of poverty, no long-term support for lifelong illnesses
Unemployed - not immediately thrown into poverty, benefit below poverty line so didn’t help out of poverty