- workers were now more likely to seek medical assistance than let the problem escalate
- 10 million men and 4 million women covered by the scheme
- no provision for hospitals
- dependants (others in family) were not included
- NI was another tax on already low wages
- flate rate contibutions hit poor harder than rich
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Liberal Reforms
Unemployed
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Liberal Reforms
Labour exchanges act (1909)
- by 1913 there were 430 labour exchanges in britain
- by 1942 2 million workers per year were being helped to find work
- exchanges were initially viewed with suspicion as a way for the government to break strikes etc
National Insurance part 2 (1912)
- softened the worst effects of unemployment in the industries that suffered the most
- merely a "lifebelt"
- benefit cut after 15 weeks if "Not genuinely seeking work" even if there was no work in that area
only 2 million workers covered
- only some trades covered (exclusively skilled men)
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Liberal Reforms
Young
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Liberal Reforms
Schools meals act 1906
- by 1914 the government were providing local authorities with grants to cover half the costs
- 14 million meals were provided per year by 1914
- never made compulsary and regional variations occured because of this
-local authorites were slow to respond - by 1939 less than 50% had taken up the scheme
Medical Inspections act 1907
- increased awareness of common health complaints
- by 1914 most authorities were providing some sort of follow up care
- authorities were not compelled to set up clinics
- did not address the health problems of adults or school leavers
childrens charter 1908 - limited social evils
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Liberal Reforms
Elderly
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Liberal Reforms
Old age pensions act 1908
- no insurance contributions were required, pensions were given as a right
- 1906 - 1914 - there was a 75% decrease in old people entering the poor house
- by 1914 nearly 1 million people were applying for the pension
- pension level was set 2 shillings below the "poverty line"
- many people did not reach the age of 70 to benefit from the system
- the exemptions were very moralistic (drinking etc)
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