Liberal Welfare Reforms Revision Cards

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1906 - School Meals Act

AFFECTED:

Children (poor)

POSITVE EFFECTS:

Provided poor children a free school meal

By 1914, 150,000 free school meals were served every day

CRITICISMS:

It was not compulsory so many schools didn't participate

State was interfering in people's lives

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1907 - School Medical Inspections

AFFECTED:

Children (poor)

POSITIVE EFFECTS:

Free medical inspection once a year so they could be diagnosed if there was an issue

CRITICISMS:

Diagnosis was free but treatment wasnt (treatment became free in 1912)

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1908 - Children's Charter/Act

AFFECTED:

Children (poor)

POSITIVE EFFECTS:

Childcare committees set up to help children suffering from neglect

Special courts for young offenders set up - Probation system set up, offenders released for good behaviour, special prisons created for young offenders

Made illegal to sell fireworks, alcohol and tobacco to people under 16

Made illegal for children to do certain types of work and working hours limited

CRITICISMS:

Limiting working hours meant that poor families didn't have enough money

State was interfering in people's lives

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1908 - Old Age Pensions

AFFECTED:

The Elderly

POSITIVE EFFECTS:

Gave people over 70 who were earning less that £21 p/a a pension of 5 shillings a week

Was a non-contributory law

CRITICISMS:

70 is too old - should have been available for everyone

Discouraged people from saving for their retirement - robs them of independence

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1911 - Health Insurance

AFFECTED:

Workers

POSITIVE EFFECTS:

Covered all workers earning £160 a year or less (most of the working population)

Gave workers a free medical from a doctor

Employee, employer and government contributed

CRITICISMS:

Workers had to pay for their own medicine

Paying into something that may never be needed/used

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1911 - Unemployment Insurance

AFFECTED:

Workers

POSITIVE EFFECTS:

Protected men in industries - especially those affected by seasonal unemployment

Employee, employer and government contributed

CRITICISMS:

Not enough - Didn't cover all workers

People should fund it themselves - encourages them to be lazy

It was their fault that they were unemployed

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