This is the last lecture of the British Civilisation program. It covers the origins and developments of the welfare system, as well as current issues in health, education and other social programs.
2. The War: Equality of Sacrifice
Both rich and poor suffered from
bombs
Civilians lost their lives
Homes were destroyed
Rationing applied to everyone,
regardless of social class
Women and men of all classes did
war work together
3. The Welfare State
After the war, William
Beveridge identified five
issues that needed to be
tackled to make a better
Britain: 5 giants
To achieve his aims,
Beveridge proposed the
introduction of a welfare
state.
6. Founding Principles of Welfare State
Ignorance
Squalor
Idleness
Want
Disease
Education
Housing
Employment
Income
Health
7. Welfare state: the government plays a key
role in the protection and promotion of the
economic and social well-being of its
citizens.
The Beveridge Report started the Welfare
State in Britain in 1945 to address each of
the 5 Giants.
It would provide security ‘from the cradle to
the grave’.
8. Squalor/Housing
Council housing introduced at the
end of the nineteenth Century but
high demand and slums
Housing provided by local authorities
& setting up of new towns in the
coutnryside
made sure that anyone who could
not afford to buy or wish to buy,
could have a comfortable home.
9. Squalor/Housing
However, worrying
lack of available
council housing
throughout the
country.
In Scotland alone, last year, 142,000
households were on waiting lists for social
housing.
10. Ignorance/Education
Secondary education was only available to
those who could pay or who passed a
scholarship at the age of 11.
Most children left school at the end of
elementary education when they were 14.
11. Ignorance/Education
1944 education act
Leaving age up from 14 to 15.
All children get secondary education
without paying fees.
However
Student debt levels are rising
School dropouts rate higher in
certain communities or places
Education quality differs according to
social class and income
12. Idleness/Employment
After the war, there was work for
everyone as Britain rebuilt itself.
By 1946, unemployment was
reduced to 2.5 %
However huge post-war problems
such as shortages of raw materials
and massive war debts.
13. Idleness/Employment
Government nationalised some
industries and supported industries in
high areas of unemployment.
– Nationalized coal mines, railways…
Objective : providing full employment
for all working age citizens.
Unemployment benefits (to be held to
a subsistence level), now called
Jobseeker’s Allowance
15. The NHS 1948
Principles:
- Free medical services
- Every citizen is
registered with a GP
(General Practitioner)
- Visits to GP are free,
GP’s salary paid by NHS
- Patient goes to GP of
Residence Area
- Symbolic fee for drugs
(5 £)
16. The NHS
However
- Charges for dental &
ophthalmic care
Problem for patients:
Time factor:
over 18 months for hip or eye
surgery
17. The NHS
Problem for Government:
Cost of the system, modern
medical techniques and
medication.
Ageing population requiring more
medical care.
18. POVERTY:Social Security
Services :
- Retirement pensions
- Unemployment benefits
- Income support, etc. 5s a week
for each child after the first.
Developments:
- 1980’s major changes in the
system -> less generous
- Benefits proportionate to
earnings
20. Problems
Unemployment benefit said to
discourage work
Notion of “Deserving poor”
Single parents forced back to work
Less social aids for the poor and the
needy
Exclusion of the Underclass