Poor physical health of the pouplation was also a result of poverty. Rowntree estimated 25%-30% of York met criteria for poverty.Infant mortality rates where much high in lesser deprived areas compared to wealthy areas.The Boar war also led to frighting discouveries about the physical condition of the population.25% of volenteers were too weak to join.There were also a wide variety of health issues ranging from poor eye-sight to decaying teeth.With a predicted impending war with germany looming there was a fear that britain would not be ready or strong enough to be able to fight and win the war.The country also needed a strong and fit and healthy industry in times of need and in future warst to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.This was part of what forced decide that something in the form reforms had to be done to help the nation.
The fear of another war was a huge concern considering that it would likely be with Germany.This was particularly a concern considering Germany had introduced a comprehensive social walfare & as an industrial nation was growing in status & power enabling it to summon a strong & impressive millitary power that could indeed pose a direct threat to Britain.Germany had already establish itself with Naval supremecy and a rival in Africa.
Lloyd george's visit of Germany uncouverd many truths about how strong germany was & Britain needed to react in one form or another.
Another factor that brought change was extension of the vote.The better off working class men could now vote which meant that 2/3 of the male population could now vote.Both political parties now had to develop policies or changes that would appeal to working class electorate voters. The working class had already been recognized in the 19th century with reforms affecting conditions,health,trade unions,housing and education.
In 1900 the Labour party was created and by 1906 had 56 MPs,Their main intrest was those of the working class people and not the better of community of great Britain like the other two political parties.
Lastly the period sawthe emergence of "New Liberalism".Old liberals had believed in laissez - faire - the state should not intervene the lives of individuals; new Liberals argued that the State should intervene to help poor people because only the state had the power and wealth to bring about the kind of changes necessary toceate a modern society.David Lloyd George represented this kind if thinking and played a major role in bringing about the programme of reform.
Overall, the Liberal reforms marked a transition point between old laissez-faire attitudes and those of a more collectivist nature.Surveys though showed that even after fifty years elements of poverty were still around & the reforms where not as effective as planned. The reforms made only limited inroads into the problem of poverty. The pensions paid were inadequate and the unemployment benefits were limited to only certain trades, and then provided only for the employee and not his family. The government was prepared to intervene to help the poor, but the poor had also to help themselves by making contributions towards their benefits.
Without a doubt poverty played a major role in bringing them about.Poverty was also a factor in the General fears of conflict with Germany. The extension of the vote which meant a working class majority with the vote.Add to the fact that a Working class voice that is the Labour party was also growing also propted change from a self-intrest point of view for the Liberals.These factors were important to understand along with new Liberism along with a more modern & intervening responsibilty to the role of the State.
