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Beveridge Report published
Identified five "Giant Evils" in society: squalor, ignorance, want, idleness, and disease, and went on to propose widespread reform to the system of social welfare to address these. -
Butler Act
Provided free education for all. Introduced the tri-partite system -
General Election
Victory for the Labour Party who adopted the Beveridge proposals, and proceeded to implement many social policies, which became known as the Welfare State. -
National Insurance Act
Extended the Liberal Act of 1911 to include adults. All persons of working age had to pay a weekly contribution & in return were entitled to a wide range of benefits including Guardian’s Allowances, Death Grants, Unemployment Benefit, Widow’s Benefits, Sickness Benefit, and Retirement Pension. There were some criticisms of the Act, such as the fact that married women and a number of self-employed workers were not included under the schemes. -
Family Allowances Act
Came into effect August 1st 1946. First law to provide child benefit to mothers in the United Kingdom. -
Children's Act
Established a comprehensive childcare service. It reformed the services available to deprived children, consolidating existing childcare legislation and establishing departments “in which professional social work practice would develop in child care and, in due course, in work with families.”The Act made it clear it was the duty of local authorities to receive into care any child who was without parents or whose parents could not care for him for any reason, if it was in their interest -
National Assistance Act
Abolished the Poor Law -
National Health Service Act
This legislation provided people in Britain with free diagnosis and treatment of illness, at home or in hospital, as well as dental and ophthalmic services. -
National Insurance Act
Introduced earnings related pensions and contributions - a major departure from Beveridge's principle of flat rate contributions and pensions. The scheme became effective in 1961. -
Social Security Act
Abolished National Assistance and replaced it with Supplementary Benefits. The National Assistance Board becomes the Supplementary Benefits Commission; and after means testing, non-contributory benefits and allowances are introduced. -
Family Income Supplements Act
Provides for a new benefit for families with small incomes. The families are exempted from health service charges and children are eligible for free school meals. -
Child Benefit Act
