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Poverty before the Reform
The poverty line at this point , pverty was at an all time low and the low classes in Britain were living like animals and treated as such by the higher classes . The poor were there for so many reasons and many people would say it was because they were drunks and lazy but there were also things to consider such as wether they were lame or ill , in addition they were never even given a chance to make more money. -
Period: to
The Boer war of 1899-1902
This showed the poor state of health of the nation. One out of every three volunteers failed the army medical due to bad diet and living conditions. This could seriously affect Britain’s military strength if nothing was done to improve the situation. -
General election
The Liberals and the Labour Party reached agreement not to stand against each other in many seats. If elected to power the Liberals promised a programme of welfare reforms which would recognize the government’s responsibility to help the weakest and poorest sections of society. -
Free School Meals
In 1906 the Liberal Government introduced Free School Meals for children. This allowed local education authorities to provide free meals to children on a means tested basis. About half of local authorities introduced the scheme and by the outbreak of the First World War some 14 million meals had been provided. -
Children's charter
Laws to stop cruelty and neglect of children and end baby farming. New Juvenile Courts no longer sent children to adult prisons. ‘Borstals’ and a probation service set up. Begging by children was made an offence. The sale of alcohol and tobacco to children under 16 years was forbidden. -
Child Medical Tests
a series of free medical tests were introducd for children. as with the Free School Meals the testing was optional for local authorities. These tests identified illnesses and diseases at an early stage and marked a change in central governments attitudes towards children. They were now being seen as a national asset worth looking after. -
The Old age Pensions Act
The Old Age Pensions Act provided a small pension for everybody aged 70 or above. As this was a universal right, rather than being means tested, it took away the stigma that had been attached to Poor Law Benefits. -
The 1908 Children and Young Persons Act
This provided protection for children. From now on it was a legal requirement to look after children properly and the authorities were given the power to intervene in cases where this was not deemed to be the case. -
'The Peoples Budget'
In 1909, the House of Lords rejected the People’s Budget -
The Parliment Act of 1911
The Parliament Act of 1911, which reduced the power of the Lords and stopped them interfering in money bills. -
Oppostion to Scool Meals
Some Councils did not approve of free school meals and this had to be made compulsory in 1914.
