History Welfare state in the United Kingdom

beveridge report , labour

the aftermath of first world war boosted demands social reform, , led permanent increase in role of state in british society. end of war brought slump, particularly in northern industrial towns, deepened great depression 1930s.

during war, government became more involved in people s lives via governmental organisation of rationing of foodstuffs, clothing , fuel , milk , meals being given expectant mothers , children. wartime coalition government committed full employment through keynesian policies, free universal secondary education, , introduction of family allowances. many people welcomed government intervention , wanted go further.

the beveridge report of 1942, (which identified 5 giant evils in society: squalor, ignorance, want, idleness , disease) recommended national, compulsory, flat rate insurance scheme combine health care, unemployment , retirement benefits. beveridge himself careful emphasise unemployment benefits should held subsistence level, , after 6 months conditional on work or training, not encourage abuse of system. predicated on concept of maintenance of employment meant ‘it should possible make unemployment of individual more 26 weeks continuously rare thing in normal times’ , recognised imposition of training condition impractical if unemployed numbered million. after victory in 1945 general election, labour party pledged eradicate giant evils, , undertook policy measures provide people of united kingdom cradle grave.

included among laws passed national assistance act 1948, national insurance act 1946, , national insurance (industrial injuries) act 1946.