In the late 19th century poverty was caused by unemployment, illness and old age. The 1906 Liberal Government had to introduce reforms to tackle poverty.
By 1900, attitudes towards poverty and other social issues were changing. The policy of ‘laissez faire’ did not seem to be working as poverty and ill-health remained widespread.
The Liberal Government which was elected in 1906 took a more 'collectivistA stance that prioritises a group's interests over those of its individual members.' approach. The Government now accepted that it should have a much larger role in helping those sections of society who could not help themselves.
National efficiency
Many feared that Britain was in decline as a world power.
If Britain was to remain a world power, it needed a strong, healthy and well-educated workforce.
Influence of Germany
Under Bismarck, Germany had made social reforms in the 1880s and in the early 1900s was economically and militarily strong.
Germany had introduced sickness insurance for its workers.
David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill felt inspired to introduce similar reforms in Britain.
New Liberals
New liberal ideas had emerged by 1900 which suggested that the Government should intervene to help the poor.
New Liberals who thought this way included Lloyd George and Churchill.
The Labour Party
The Labour Party formed at the turn of the century.
The Liberal Party feared that it might lose working class support to this new party, if they did not look to help the poor.
The video below examines government health reforms and public health from 1875 to 1906.
