Provision of Social Welfare Flashcards
(47 cards)
What was 1918 government provision for the poor based on?
. Victorian poor laws
. Early liberal reforms
What were some of the areas of Victorian Poor laws that stayed in place until 1930:
. Collecting poor rates from local landowners/businesses to support workhouses
. Workhouses originally for impoverished families but became a place for the sick/elderly instead (eventually abolished)
What was one of the first gov welfare provision that the pre war liberals gave in 1911
Introduced unemployment insurance (7 shillings a week up to 15 weeks), still low compared to average 20 shillings a week pay.
Also only 10% of unemployed men able to collect it.
Applied for women too!
Where did men go to collect their unemployment insurance in 1911?
They went to the labour exchange- which made sure they were still actively looking for work.
Overall what was the shift from 1900 to 1918 in political consensus about welfare provision?
Until 1914 most welfare was given by charities/organizations (victorian view)— but later on it became more accepted that gov had to play a role.
What was the unemployment insurance act of 1920?
. National insurance extended from 4 million people in 1919, to 11.4 million in 1921
benefits were increased to 75p for men, and 60l for men (still low compared to 3pounds).
What was the states role at this point and was it expected?
The states role initially became larger than orgiginally intended.. Lloyd thought iunsurance would be self funding… but instead because it covered so many, it became a state funded dole without means test…
How was this large state intervention justified?
. The need to support high levels of unemployment
. Fears that widespread poverty would lead to a revolution like 1917
. Popular desire to support ex veterans.
Why was the size of the welfare budget CONTROVERSIAL in the 1930’s
. Because of the state of british economy… some wanted a 10% cut, while some led a cabinet revolt against that. Forced a national government (between labour and conservative)
What was the National economy act of 1931???
National government reformed welfare provision with this act.
. Introduced a means test for unemployment benefits (to limit overall benefits bill).
. Means test disqualified short time workers.
. Changed the system so benefits can only be claimed for 6 months (then need to reapply)
. Introduced transitional payments that were designed to support unemployed people after the first six months (you had to register to get it).
How was the national economy 1931 act bad for short time workers?
. Affected them as they worked in deprives areas (wales/tyneside), and some of them worked occasional days at shypyards or not enough hours.
. this left them out even tho they were trying to work- making it just easier to not work at all (they would get more money from benefits).
How were transtitional payments (introduced in national economy 1931 act) designed?
claimants required to register at a labour exchange and payments only authorised by local public assistance committee (to stop abusing system).
also all areas of household taken into account before deciding who got relief.
how did the change in the system (because of the national economy act) impact low income families.
Unemployed parents with working children would lose benefits if children lived with them (even if childrens wages were not enough)- forced children of working age to leave family home.
means test became single most unpopular piece of legislation- caused marches.
What did the 1934 unemployment act introduce?
. Distninguished between short and long term unemployment.
. The act reversed the 10% benefit cut for short term unemployed
. After 6 months long term unemployed could apply to newly created unemployment assistance board for benefits.
. Means testing for long term unemployed continued (but there was a cut in payments for long term unemployment).
What did the cut in long term unemployment benefits cause and what did this lead to?
Protests
for example 300,000 people demonstrated against cuts in south wales…
this led to government introducing standstill regulations in 1935, suspending the cut.
shows how public pressure impacted welfare provision in 1930’s.
What happened through the 1930’s on views on welfare provision?
By 1939, worst of depression had passed and unemployment dropped sharply- falling from 3 million in 1933 to just under 1.4 million in 1939. During the 1930’s all of Britians major political parties had accepted how the state had a singiciant role in unemployment benefit.
How did the world war have massive impact on welfare provision?
greatly enlarged the role of the state as the government became responsible for directing the economy to ensure that workers/troops were supplied, but also welfare of popuation was good.
What were evacutations like (type of welfare provision)?
Moved children out of cities to the countryside to protect from bombing.
first evacuation relocated 1.5 million children in 1939- however did not cater for the need of evacuees (initially they did not have spare bedding/food/clothes)
this changed later as children were provided with essentials and social workers provided.
What was rationing introduced during the war in 1940?
Gov introduced food rationing.
Bacon, butter, sugar first to ration.
Point system also introduced, so some people could buy extra (figs, biscuits) montly.
What do some nutritionists say about rationing?
Some say that british diet actually improved- as less healthy foods being consumed.
More healthier people.
Also alchohol and tobacco (not rationed) but became more expensive.
What was clothe rationing like?
Started june 1941.
. 66 coupons yearly allowance (one woman dress 11 coupons).
. utility clothing more common (simple and effective)
. washing expensive (heat, soap etc shortage), ppl were smelly…. (ew)
What were the effects of rationing?
. Did lead to the black market.
. During the war, this feeling of everyone sacrificing for the countries sake and equality (even tho richer ppl still had it better),
. it was accepted during war- but defo not after.
How did rationing lead to improved diet?
The food policy committee (leader clement attlee), made sure there was heating fuel/milk for mothers w kids.
. in some ways, rationing acc helped these mothers/people, whereas before war it did not.
What did the 1942 Beveridge report say?
William beveridge said the gov should provide state welfare to consquer 5 evils of:
. ignorance, want, idelness, disease, squalor.
. He said that state shouldnt take over peoples lives, and british ppl independance should be preserved.
. But that wage earners should be able to pay for benefits.
. there should be universal benefits (no means test).
