From 1906 the Liberal Reforms set the scene for the welfare state, they changed peoples views in thinking governments priorities should be with the poor and needy, this then made way for the birth of the NHS in 1948.
A welfare state is one, which supports its citizens, providing a wide range of social services. The Liberals must be recognised with taking a number of difficult steps with a brilliant outcome. They had recognised the nation’s social problems, and from 1908 had made some great changes. The Liberals had shown the way and demonstrated what governments could achieve in terms of social legislation given favourable circumstances and the general support of the public.
There are few reasons why these social reforms happened, the British army struggled to find young, fit recruits to fill the role of a competent soldier, and this led to questions being asked about the physical condition of the working class male. Would he be able to perform the tasks expected of him in the workplace and on the battlefield? The Government would have to do something to ensure basic health levels among the population. The Liberals also realised the public following popular socialism. In 1906 there was a new type of Liberalisms, which inspired the reforms. Bismarck's progressive social legislation in Germany inspired people and gas and water socialism.
1908 saw the old age pensions act, which meant all those over the age of 70 were entitled to 5 shillings each week. In addition to this, the coal mines act meant that 8 hour working days were the maximum for miners.
1909 was the start of The children's act, this prevented children from begging, as well as the sale of alcohol to those under the age of 16. Also in 1909, the labour exchanges aided people in their search for employment.
During 1910, the liberals introduced the Education Act in order to decrease the number of young adults in employment with no prospects, Also career guidance was brought into the national educational curriculum.
The biggest reform, the National Insurance Act of 1911, was considered the foundations of the welfare state as it introduced benefits, When the National Insurance provisions began to take effect, very poor families began to see a big difference in there lives. The combined effect of child welfare support, old age pensions, employment legislation, child allowances and National Insurance meant that families and the poor where seeing the best outcome to this reform. Few families could fail to benefit from at least some aspect of this legislation. In particular, the relief to working-class budgets in supporting elderly relatives brought about by the introduction of Old Age Pensions.
Free health insurance was provided for the employed earning less than 160 per annum. Unemployment benefits were also brought into practise.
Despite attempts made by the liberal government to get rid of poverty, the reforms still had a big challenge, while some of the local governments ignored a few of the reforms. For example, school meals weren't compulsory until 1914.
The Liberal Reforms mark an important shift in the government’s attitude towards social reform and the problem of poverty. The idea of state responsibility for disadvantaged groups in society who were unable to help themselves was accepted.
These reforms were soon recognised as the way forward. Throughout the following years to 1948, the change of labour and conservatives in power, there was still the idea of a welfare state; this was purely influenced by the liberal reforms.
1920 saw Lord Dawson produce a report on how the National Health Service could be organised.
In the 1930s local authorities now owned poor law hospitals. They needed much upgrading. The service and standard was different from town to town. The London County Council and Middlesex were achieving a lot and running well, but many councils did not. In this time plenty of reports were being produced by the BMA. The King's Fund and the Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust as protectors of hospitals were also deeply involved.
During the Second World War the conservatives produced the first white paper report on the health service in 1944, but after Labour's election victory in 1945 Bevan presented a new plan which was favouring nationalisation of all hospitals, voluntary or council, and a regional framework. After much negotiation this plan went through, with a great outcome.
On July 5 1948 the National Health Service took control of 480,000 hospital beds in England and Wales. An estimated 125,000 nurses and 5,000 consultants were available to care for hospital patients.
