The Liberal Reforms: Why

were they introduced?

What were the Liberal Reforms?

A series of welfare reforms which aimed to helped: •Children •Old People •Sick people •People who had low wages/were unemployed.

Introduction: ContextsThe liberal government came to power in 1906 with a landslide victory of 399

seats to the 156 of the Conservatives. During their election campaign they had focussed on their promise of free trade, yet, during their time in power, they introduced a series of welfare reforms aimed at helping those in need.

The Liberal Party were in power from 1906 to 1914. During this time they introduced a series of welfare reforms which were designed to provide support for the 1/3 of Britain’s population who had been identified by Seebohm Rowntree and Charles Booth as living in poverty.

When the Liberal Party came to power in 1906, the poverty line was at 21 shillngs per week and around one third of British families were below this – living in poverty. Through his study, Rowntree identified five main causes of poverty; old age, large families, unemployment/irregular work, low wages and the death/illness of main wage earner.

Factors

TASK:

While watching the video, take a note of at least one FACT for each of the following:

•National Efficiency •Social Awareness •Political Advantage

By 1906 it was becoming difficult for the government to ignore the problem.

Research findings of:

Charles Booth

Seebohm Rowntree

The Social Surveys of Booth and RowntreeThe Social Surveys of Booth and Rowntree

Charles Booth’s “Survey of Life and Labour in London” completed in 1903, showed the huge level of poverty in London: nearly one third of the population.

•17 year study in London

•30% lived below poverty line

•Only 3% received help from the Poor Law

The large surveys into British poverty conducted by Booth and Rowntree provided the incoming Liberal Government with detailed evidence which had not been available to previous governments.

Seebohm Rowntree’s study of working class families in York: “Poverty: A study of Town Life” was published in 1901.It confirmed Charles Booth’s findings that one third of Britain’s population was living in poverty.

•York

•30% lived below poverty line.

•A family needed £1 a week to stay above the poverty line.

Seebohm RowntreePoverty or bread line= basics (home, food, clothing)

Illness or old age 5%

Unemployment or irregular work 5%

Death of main wage earner 16%

Low wages 52%

Large families 22%

Other evidence of poverty

Socialists Writers Teachers & Civil Servants

Social Democratic Federation tried to make people aware of conditions of poor.

Reverand A. Mearns ‘The Bitter Cry of Outcast London’William Booth ‘Darkest London’ Charles Dickens ‘Oliver Twist.

Teachers complained to school inspectors that children were too hungry to learn.

Medical officers (for local councils) reported on poor state of people’s health.

Analysis• Due to increased public awareness of poverty it would

seem – perhaps - that any party in power would have been under pressure to implement reforms for political survival.

However, can be argued that social reforms were introduced as a result of these revelations:

1906 Free School Meals 1909 Housing Act (Although only outlined plans; no action

actually taken)

1906 – Liberal Prime Minister, Henry Campbell-Bannerman believed in Gladstonian Laissez-Faire.

However, a growing number Liberals saw the need for change.

They had sympathy for the poor but were also worried by the rise in support for the Labour Party. They convinced their leaders to do more to help Britain’s poorest.

Make Povert

y Histor

y

Winston Churchill David Lloyd George

“Don’t be afraid to take a big step”

“Don’t be afraid to take a big step”

Analysis• Evidence shows the move away from Laissez-faire

after the death of Campbell Bannerman and the cabinet reshuffle – 1909 Peoples’ Budget caused a constitutional crisis. This cemented the idea that the better off should be taxed to help the poor.

• Number of welfare reforms increased after DLG and Churchill brought into party – showing their influence important.

• DLG responsible for OAPs and Churchill instrumental in National Insurance. Both wanted to help the poor but equally recognised political benefits i.e. more votes. Thus suggesting that power was also important.

Analysis• The number of non-contributory benefits such as 1908 OAPs evidence the change in political philosophy and the extent to which they were influenced by revelations and new liberalism.

• Other reforms also show that the new liberals had influenced a change in liberal ideology. E.g. 1908 Children’s Charter and 1909 Trades Board Act.

1. Threat from the Labour Party

Labour MPs

1900 2 MPs

1906 29 MPs

1910 42 MPs

Labour threatened the Liberals because in 1890, working class men were given the vote and the majority associated with Labour – the working man’s party.

‘The relief of poverty is always an act of power’

P. Hennock

Speech by Lloyd George to a Liberal Party meeting in Cardiff, October 1906

I warn you about the Labour Party. I warn you it will become a terrifying force that will sweep away Liberalism. We have a Liberal Parliament, but we must act to help the poor. We must get rid of the national disgrace of slums. We must eliminate the widespread poverty which scars this land glittering with

wealth, otherwise the working men of Britain will vote Labour instead of Liberal.

Analysis• Labour was gaining support quickly. 1905 – 2 seats and

increased to 29 in 1910. Liberals required a way to regain support from those voters.

• This is evidenced by the Lib’s introduction of the Free School Meals Act which was originally suggested in parliament by a Labour MP.

• Thus showing that the Lib’s were concerned that Labour had greater appeal to the working class.

Analysis• The Liberal majority in 1910 was only TWO seats. • In 1907 they lost ‘safe’ seats e.g. Jarrow to Labour. • Historians argue that this led the Liberals to introduce

pensions the following year. • Indeed, DLG said they would only be put out of power if

they failed to deal with the problems of the people. • On the other hand, Labour was not the only threat.

Some suggest the Liberals were also threatened by the Conservatives.

2. Threat from the Conservative PartyThe historian Morrison argues that the Conservatives posed a bigger threat to the Liberals than Labour.

The Conservatives had already introduced reforms…

Housing Act 1890

Education Act 1891

Workmen’s compensation Act 1897/ 1900

However it is worth noting that……

The Liberals called a General

Election in 1910- they won

by only by 2 seats!!!!!

If the Liberals were concerned with

maintaining power, why did they push through with the

People’s Budget (tax increases to pay

for OAP) in 1909?

Analysis• The 1909 Peoples’ Budget taxed the rich in order to

introduce further reforms. Surely then, if the Liberals were more concerned about threat from Conservatives they would have tried to attract support from the wealthy.

• Further to that, the Liberals may also have been losing support from workers.

• Many actually objected to paying out the money for National Insurance. They got paid very little so any deduction (regardless of size) had detrimental consequences.

• SUGGESTS: Liberals were in fact genuinely attempting to help those in need.

1. German Rivalry: German model of Social Welfare

- Under Bismark, Germany had already introduced Social Reforms such as OAPs. Bismark had wanted to gain support of working class.

- Germany’s welfare system was first in Europe.

- Politicians including DLG visited Germany & were impressed by what they saw.

Analysis• Evidence supports the argument that this was an

important reason because: • The government introduced OAPs (1908) soon after

Lloyd George returned from Germany. • Also Labour Exchanges 1909 were based on the

German model.

2. British industry threatened- USA, Japan and Germany increasing economic competition- USA could make steel cheaper than Britain. - British companies worried- e.g. Cadbury-1905 Dundee Survey- children underweight (Children would be the workers & soldiers of the future)-Lord Rosebery believed in order to achieve this the Liberals would require a “healthier and better educated workforce” .

Analysis• Concern over national efficiency evident as British

industry already in decline due to poor health of workers.

• To successfully compete with other nations, UK needed a strong & effective workforce.

• Evidenced by introduction of Nat Insurance (Part 1) which covered 17 trades e.g. mining in times of sickness. Motivated by nat. efficiency because it gave support to workers so they could return to work fit and capable of working to their best.

3 – Empire (highlighted by the Boer War)• Took 3 years for 400,000 British soldiers to defeat

35,000 Boer farmers. • 34.6% of volunteers rejected due to ill health. 8000

rejected and only 1200 accepted in Manchester. • Concern that UK not able to defend its empire.

Analysis• This shows national efficiency was an important motive

because:• The government took steps to improve the efficiency of

the army e.g. they introduced the Territorial Reserves & Expeditionary Force which was designed to back up the regular army.

• The government also targeted the young with School Meals Act and Medical Inspections – to improve health of future soldiers.

• Thus showing that national efficiency was an important motivation.