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100 Years on the Broo

Marking a century of existence for Britain's unemployment benefit, Sally McNair looks back at controversy, hunger marches, means tests, job centres and calls to 'get on your bike'.

BBC Scotland marks a century of Britain's unemployment benefit.

Love it or loathe it, whether it's an anniversary to celebrate or commiserate, it has changed Scotland forever. David Lloyd George's National Insurance Act of 1911 introduced unemployment benefit: no longer would losing a job mean destitution for people and their families. Yet from the outset it was mired in controversy.

Sally McNair looks back at 100 years of hunger marches, means tests, job centres and calls to 'get on your bike' and asks if, after a century, unemployment benefit is about to disappear forever.

30 minutes

Credit

RoleContributor
PresenterSally McNair

Broadcasts

  • Wed 7 Sep 201122:45
  • Sat 10 Sep 201119:00

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