The effectiveness of the Liberal social welfare reformsReforms for the unemployed
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.
offices were set up to help the unemployed find work
430 Labour Exchanges were operating by 1913
3000 people a day were provided with work by 1914
Limitations
it was not compulsory for employers to register vacancies
National Insurance Act Part 2, 1911
Details and successes
after 1 week, an insured worker losing their job would receive 7 shillings a week, for 15 weeks
this scheme was contributory - employees paid 2.5 d per week, employers paid 2 d per week, state paid 3d per week
many trades were involved, e.g. shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, construction, iron founding and sawmilling
the scheme was compulsory for these trades
Limitations
insurance was only available in certain trades
cover was only guaranteed to employees in 7 trades, including: shipbuilding, construction, iron founding and sawmilling (those that suffered most often from seasonal unemployment).
cover was only provided for a limited time depending on contributions
after this point the Poor Law had to be used
no benefit was provided if the worker was fired for bad conduct
there was no provision for the worker’s family
when long term unemployment increased after World War One, the system began to break down - the scheme took in less money from workers than it paid out to the unemployed
