Supporting the Elderly and Sick: Building the Welfare Foundation
The Old Age Pension Act (1908) revolutionised elderly care by providing 5 shillings weekly to everyone over 70 - no contributions required, just funded through general taxation. This helped countless families who previously struggled to support elderly relatives and kept many out of dreaded poorhouses.
For workers, the Workmen's Compensation Act (1906) offered financial protection against workplace injuries, whilst the National Insurance Act (1911) provided sickness benefits of 10 shillings per week for up to 13 weeks.
These reforms faced significant challenges though. Five shillings wasn't enough to escape poverty, and with average life expectancy around 50, many never reached pension age. The National Insurance scheme only covered 2.25 million men - families received no protection.
Despite these limitations, 13 million workers gained some security against sickness and injury. More importantly, these reforms established the principle that the state should protect its most vulnerable citizens, creating the blueprint for today's welfare system.
Key Point: While imperfect, these reforms represented the first systematic attempt to create a safety net for Britain's most vulnerable populations.