The Liberal Reforms

• What were common living conditions for the poor in industrial towns in 1900?

  Slums and overcrowded housing
• What was the typical work situation for the poor in 1900?

  They worked long hours for low wages
• What basic needs could many poor families not afford in 1900?

  Doctors, medicine, and decent meals
• What types of social support were available to the poor in 1900?

  Workhouses providing food and lodging
• What was the condition of workhouses for the poor?

  They required long hours of brutal work
• What percentage of Londoners lived in severe poverty according to Booth's report?

  30%
• What did Booth's report reveal about finding work?

  It was sometimes impossible despite effort
• What was the title of Rowntree's report published in 1901?

  'Poverty, a Study of Town Life'
• What percentage of people in York could not afford basic food and housing according to Rowntree's report?

  28%
• What was the impact of poor healthcare on the population's health?

  Most people's health was pretty poor
• What percentage of volunteers were found unfit for military service during the Boer War?

  40%
• What caused the physical unfitness of volunteers during the Boer War?

  Poverty-related illnesses linked to poor diet
• Why did the government realize it needed to improve healthcare?

  To have an efficient army
• What did the Liberal Reforms aim to improve?

  Health by tackling poverty
• What did Booth, Rowntree, and the Boer War demonstrate?

  Link between poverty and ill health
• Who was the Chancellor of the newly-elected Liberal government?

  David Lloyd George
• When were free school meals introduced?

  1906
• How were free school meals funded?

  By local council taxes
• What year did local education authorities start giving free medical inspections?

  1907
• What was introduced in 1908 for people over 70?

  Old age pensions
• What was significant about the old age pensions introduced in 1908?

  First welfare scheme paid by national taxes
• What were introduced in 1909 to help unemployed people?

  Labour exchanges
• What year was the National Insurance Act passed?

  1911
• What did the National Insurance Act provide for workers?

  Health insurance funded by contributions
• Who contributed to the health insurance fund introduced by the National Insurance Act?

  Workers, employers, and the government
• What were the key components of the Liberal Reforms aimed at improving health?

  • Free school meals (1906)
  • Free medical inspections (1907)
  • Old age pensions (1908)
  • Labour exchanges (1909)
  • National Insurance Act (1911)
• How did the Liberal Reforms reflect changing attitudes towards government roles?

  • First national effort to improve living conditions
  • Aimed to enhance public health
  • Shifted public perception of government responsibilities