Liberal Reform, 1906-14 0.0 / 5 ? Historystate and peopleA2/A-levelAQA Created by: Ella GreenCreated on: 01-06-14 15:38 Reforms for Children Dealt with the provision of school meals and medical inspections Provision of School Meals Act (1906) Local authorities could levy a rate of pay for school meals for needy children Many failed to act until it was made compulsory in 1914 Medical Inspections Act (1907) Unhealthy children could not benefit from attending school Most chose to ignore the clause to provide free medical treatmet Act was tightened up in 1912 Additional government grants were given to set up school clinics The Children's Charter (1908) Brought together measures to protect and decriminalise children Juvenile courts were set up so they would not be mixed up with hardened criminals Emphasis was on rehabilitation New penalties for the ill treatment of children Illegal for children to beg on the street The sale of cigarettes, tobacco and unsealed alcohol was banned to under 16s 1 of 7 Reforms for the Elderly Old Age Pensions Act (1908) Non-contributory pension of 5 shilling a week for people aged 70 or over with annual income of £21 Pension could be collectd at the post office It was insufficient to raise an elderly person above the poverty line Was given as a right and removed the stigma of applying for help Non-contributory so there was no financial burden Established a collectivist principle of State intervention Assumed you saved for old age 2 of 7 Reforms to Safeguard Workers Passed many reforms to safeguard workers Secure better working conditions and help the unemployed Many worked in sweated industries such as tailoring Not covered by the Factory Acts Trade Board Act (1909) Fixed minimum wages for the various trades involved Continued to exclude many trades Shop Act (1911) Gave assistants a half day holiday a week Did not control the maximum number of hours that could be worked Mines Act (1908) Limited the number of hours a miner could work underground Did not include time spent getting to and from the coal face Labour Exchanges (1909) Advertised local job vacancies Paid out unemployment benefits No requirement for the unemployed to register and employers not encouraged to use Exchange Usually to find skilled workers 3 of 7 The National Insurance Act (1911) Compulsory scheme Organised in two parts First related to health insurance, second to unemployment insurance Outstanding peace-time achievement Most far-reaching example of State intervention to support workers 4 of 7 Health Insurance Compulsory Provided health insurance for those earning less than £160 a year Worker would contribute 4d Employer = 3d State = 2d Provide sickness benefit of 10 shillings a week for 13 weeks Free medical attention/medicine George wanted to include widows and orphans Insurance companies said no Innovative but lacked in that it only catered for the worker, not his family 5 of 7 Unemployment Insurance Compulsory Most affected by seasonal variation Employer = 2.5d Employee = 2.5d State = 3d Benefit = 7 shillings a week for 15 weeks in a 12 month period Covered over 2 million workers Not comphrensive enough No safety net after time period State contribution = too small 6 of 7 Other Reforms The Trade Disputes Act (1906) No case could be brought against a union for damages caused by strike action Peaceful picketing was legal Gave unions a strong legal position Secured industrial power for years to come 7 of 7
OCR - Enquiry topic: Political Issues 1900-1914 (COMPLETE) 5.0 / 5 based on 1 rating Teacher recommended
Comments
No comments have yet been made