Children were the first to benefit under New Liberalism but not by liberal policies. The Education (Meals) Act of 1906 was the brainchild of a Labour MP and The Education (Administration Provisions) Act 1907 was passed up by civil servants as preventative measure. Both these policies were passed as Permissive legislation but as time marched on almost all local authorities made efforts to implement them. The Children’s Act 1908 was passed allowing children better legal protection, this meant they could no longer stand trial as an adult. This was a deliberate Liberal policy.
The workers in Britain that were targeted come under two categories, the unemployed and low wage earners and workers suffering through ill health and injury at work. In 1908 The Coal mines (8 hours) Act came into force which reduced working hours, however this did not include the journey time to and from the surface. In 1909 Labour exchanges were set up for the unemployed which were deemed a success. William Beveridge argued that the state had to help the unemployed as the majority were victims of the Trade cycle. Also in 1909 The Trade Boards Act was passed introducing a minimum wage for the so called Sweated trades. 1911 saw the biggest change with the introduction of the contributed National Insurance Act for Health and Unemployment. This policy also required qualifying criteria. Finally The Shops Act in 1911 limited the hours of work introducing a 6 ½ day week, this in turn established general working conditions.
The old among poorest society received the short end of the stick. The Old Age Pension Act was introduced in 1908. It was not a new idea for the Liberals as the Conservatives had often pondered on the same subject. This was introduced as non-contributory and was no more than the Poor Law handouts which basically meant that the old age pensioner was on a form of outdoor relief. Likewise with the National Insurance the aged individual had to qualify to receive.
b).
At the beginning of the twentieth century there were two types of people- the rich and wealthy, and the not so fortunate. The Liberal government had decided to implement policies on the unfortunates of Britain. Whether this was intentional or not, the outcome was the same. Firstly, looking through eyes the of the unfortunate. These people had grown to dislike the lies and deceit that go hand in hand with politician and suit. At the time the tabloids were virtually the only form of propaganda which would usually sell to the highest bidder. This would usually back the Conservative Balfour. Some of the legislations came as a breath of fresh air to an industrial empire and the working class. These were the non-contributing policies. The National Insurance policies for health and unemployment were not so welcome. Lloyd George found it difficult to convey to the casual labourer that if he pays 4p it will be matched by another 5p. At the time the majority of the lower classes were living on the poverty line fluctuating between primary and secondary poverty and struggling to get by let alone fork out for a National Contribution. Some workers had their own policies through private schemes. These people were not happy with the government sticking their nose where it was not wanted. Likewise, many Insurance firms envisaged the grim reaper had come to take their sole as business would obviously dwindle. This was not so, due to the fact that the policy would incorporate civilian insurance firms within its proposals.
Trade Unionists were not happy with Acts such as the Shops Act and the Trade Boards Act. Unionists were under the impression that these policies could cause a wide spread panic by employers introducing a minimum wage and holidays. Unionist theories revolved around the mass sacking of workers rather than paying the N.I also maybe their power of negotiation was disappearing. Although not yet mentioned, children, with the introduction of N.I and other policies in this paragraph child labour would have been easier to police and enforce.
The Conservatives did not like the idea of social welfare state. As the opposition to the governing power they made sure that every tool in their arsenal was used. The House of Lords which was predominantly conservative blocked every policy possible to see that the Liberals did not change the state but tried to maintain public support. Balfour was scared that the commoner would soon learn to depend on government handouts and lose their independence. This all came to a head when the 1909 Budget was passed up to the House of Lords. It was a basic Robin Hood approach of taking from the rich through taxation of monies, land and deceased estate duty and give to the poor. The Liberals wanted to raise 16 million on this alone to pay for this welfare state. Hidden in this agenda was the building of 4 warships for the Navy. This was not argued as the Liberals used the taxation for the state as a goading tool for the House of Lords to follow. Balfour knew he had to try to block this budget and still get the backing from the public and a general election was called. That proved futile so another election was called. This time the Liberals had the Irish and the Labour MP’s in their pocket for the majority. Under pressure from possible threat of Liberal peers swamping the House of Lords it was passed.
The Liberal Government, despite in its shortcomings, created the beginnings of a welfare state, whether by accident or choice. Basic needs were addressed which were well in dire need. The positive results outweigh the negative points. If at that time these reforms had not taken place possible epidemics and revolutions would have been around the next corner. As for the House of Lords, the Conservatives had no choice but to go with the times of social and welfare reform as the people had the vote and the country’s workforce.
