What motivated the Liberals to introduce Welfare Reforms?
- Created by: Emma Boyle
- Created on: 16-05-15 17:38
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What motivated the Liberals to introduce Welfare Reforms?
The growing awareness of the issue of poverty...
- The need for social reform had been publicised by the studies of Seebohm Rowntree and Charles Booth. In surveys carried out between 1889 and 1903, Booth showed that 30% of London was living in serious poverty. Rowntree's studies show that the figures were almost as high (28%); he showed that men even in fulltime employment were forced to live close to starvation level. He recommended a minimum wage of 21s. 8d. to sustain a family of 5 at 'Spartan physical efficiency'.
European competition...
- The German people were in a fitter state than their British counterparts. At a time of intense international friction, and Germany, a possible military rival it was unwise for Britain to lag behind. LG, when introducing Health Insurance, 'We must put ourselves on a level with Germany... I hope our competition...will not be armaments alone'.
Political Pragmatism...
- Liberals were under pressure from Labour and from trade unions; a limited amount of social reform may attract voters away from socialism and so defeat the challenge from…
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