Children

• After the 1904 report on the Interdepartmental Committee on Physical Deterioration highlighted the poor physical condition of army recruits for the second Boer War (1899-1902), public concern increased on children growing up not to be sufficiently fit to sustain an Imperial army.
• The Education (Provision of Meals) Act 1906:

  This act allowed local authorities to use public money to provide free school meals for the children of needy parents. The liberal government also established principles so that in some circumstances, the state could take over the role of parents where the needs of children were concerned. Furthermore, this act made it clear that parents making use of free school meals weren't regarded by the state as paupers.
• The Education (Administrative Provisions) Act 1907:

  This act set up a school medical service, run by local authorities. A medical department was established within the Board of Education to supervise this. By 1935, there were 2300 doctors and 5300 school nurses involved in the service, and 1650 school clinics providing medical treatment.
• The Children and Young Persons' Act 1908:

  After serious lobbying by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, this act was designed to consolidate several older acts and carry their provision further. This act represented a radical new relationship between the state, parents and children while making children individuals that the state had responsibility for.
• The Children and Young Persons' Act 1908:

  • Children became 'protected persons', making it possible to prosecute their parents for neglect or cruelty.
  • Poor Law authorities were made responsible for visiting and supervising children who'd suffered cruelty or neglect.
  • Nursing and private children's homes registered and inspected.
  • Shopkeepers forbidden to sell cigarettes to children under 16.
  • Juvenile courts and remand homes set up to separate children from adult offenders.