The effectiveness of the Liberal social welfare reformsReforms to help the sick
Between 1906 and 1914, the Liberals introduced social reforms to assist the young, old, unemployed, sick and workers generally. They had a limited impact on improving people's lives.
In the early 20th century a free National Health Service did not yet exist and the poor could not usually afford medical attention. To help address this, the Liberal Government introduced the National Insurance Act in 1911.
National Insurance Act Part 1, 1911
Details and successes
provided compulsory health insurance for workers earning under £160 per year
the scheme was contributory - the employee paid 4 pence, the employer paid 3 pence and the state paid 2 pence - to build up funds to cover sickness benefit
if ill, male workers were paid 10 shillings and female workers 7 shillings and 6 pence per week for up to 26 weeks
the employee was also offered free medical treatment
30 shillings was provided for maternity benefit
Limitations
benefits were lost after 26 weeks absence from work
after 26 weeks the Poor Law had to provide for the worker
there was no provision for the worker’s family
many objected to the compulsory payments they had to make - but they could not opt out
