The Liberal government of 1906 was mainly composed of old liberals, who believed in “laissez faire” and were against state-intervention unless it was totally necessary. The “new” liberals who were represented by Aquith, Lloyd George and Churchill all supported state-intervention, as they believed this was the best way to modernise Britain. Asquith was a pupil of T.B Green and shared the same views. He was proved to be an effective leader. Lloyd George who came from a poor background approached social reform with great enthusiasm. He was determined to bring about meaningful reforms. Churchill had originally been a Conservative but after experience in the Boer War he joined the liberal party. He favoured some intervention. These three men were committed to the cause of social reform.
The first task undertaken by “old Liberals” was the welfare of children. The problem was the unhealthy children due to the lack of food or suitable food. To help attack the problem of poverty the Liberal Government passed the School Meals Act in 1906. The act allowed local authorities to provide school meals by collecting a rate of a halfpenny. However, parents who could afford to pay were expected to contribute. The introduction to this act proved to be effective as the children were in better conditions due to the food improvements, which this act provided. Following this act, the Medical Inspections Act in 1907 set up medical inspections of school children. This highlighted the problems, although were often ignored, as many parents could not afford any treatment. Although this helped improve national health levels in children, there were no such measures introduced after school life. The following year in 1908 when the “new” liberals came into power the Children’s Charter was introduced. The charter was concerned with teaching children good habits. The Liberal Government also aimed at children’s futures. This was the Juvenile Employment Bureaux, they provided advice and offered training opportunities to keep them from “dead end jobs.
In 1908 Asquith, who was a member of the “new” liberals replaced Campbell Bannerman. His target for the liberals was the attack on poverty. The problem was poverty was high as people had no successful financial backing from the government and could not make enough money working. An act that had been discussed for 20 years was finally introduced. This was The Old Age Pensioners Act. The act provided pensions to those aged 70 or over, providing what their yearly income was. Although the amount received was relatively small it contributed to attack the problem of poverty and to modernise Britain. The Liberal government then moved on to the problem of loss of earning due to unemployment or sickness. The passing of the Workmen’s Compensation Act in 1906 benefited the mine workers (i.e. limited to 8hrs per day). The Trade Board Act set up was set up to control wages and conditions in “sweated” industries. The Labour exchanges Act reduced waiting periods between jobs this was mostly aimed at seasonal workers.
In 1910 the provision of insurance against unemployment was introduced. However many people could not afford private insurance. Less than one tenth of the workforce had insurance against unemployment. This meant people were not insured against being laid off, which could lead to a rise in unemployment in many cases. Those who could afford insurance bought it against death and sickness. Almost half the workforce was insured against sickness. However many people could not keep up the payments. Lloyd George recognised the influence of the Friendly Societies and Insurance companies which made him determined to expand the original system. In 1911 he produced the National Insurance Act, which gave the British Working Classes the first contributory system of insurance against illness and unemployment.
All wage earners between 16 and 70 had to join the health scheme. Each worker paid 4d a week and the employer added 3d and the state 2d. In return for these payments, free medical attention, including medicine was given. Those workers who contributed were also guaranteed 7s a week for 15weeks in any year, when they were unemployed or sick. The Friendly Societies and Insurance companies opposed this reform as they saw it as a threat to their business. Doctors were concerned that this would threaten their independence and their incomes. As a result the Opposition of Friendly Societies and Insurance companies was reduced when they were given a role in administering the scheme. The opposition of doctors was also reduced when they were given an important role, which supervised all medical aspects of the act. It also increased their income. This act was the greatest step to attacking poverty was. The act did not apply to everyone and it depended on their particular type of workforce. So this system was effective to a certain extent although was not perfect and had room for improvement.
In conclusion, the Liberal Government did approach poverty successfully on a small scale. They introduced many reforms to attack the problem of poverty. Many reforms were proven effective, although many only highlighted the problem such as the Medical Inspections Act in 1907. Therefore the Liberal government dealt with the problem of poverty to a certain extent although did not overcome the problem completely.
By Katie Allen 5K
