The effectiveness of the Liberal social welfare reformsReforms to help the working class

Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906

Details and successes

• all employees could now receive compensation for injuries sustained and certain diseases contracted at work

Limitations

• it was difficult and costly to prove the liability of employers
• many cases could not be brought to court without trade union support

Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908

Details and successes

• maximum working day for miners set at 8 hours

Limitations

• this limit only applied to miners and not other workers in the mines

Trade Boards Act, 1909

Details and successes

• set up boards to negotiate minimum wage in box-making, lace-making, chain-making and tailoring trades
• 200,000 workers benefited

Limitations

• no attempt made to define what the 'minimum wage' was

Shops Act, 1911

Details and successes

• shop workers granted a weekly half-day holiday
• maximum working week for shop workers set at 60 hours
• washing facilities to be provided in every shop.

Limitations

• only a half-day per week was guaranteed