Issue 4: Assessment of the Liberal Reforms

Learning Objectives

• To evaluate the overall impact of the Liberal Reforms on the young, the old, the sick and the unemployed.

Success Criteria• I can provide a balanced

evaluation of the impact of the Liberal Reforms.

• I can justify an opinion, with evidence, on how successful the Liberal Reforms were in protecting certain groups.

Assessment of the Liberal Reforms

• The Liberal Reforms targeted the most vulnerable in society – the young, the old, the sick and the unemployed.

• They only targeted these groups, because they were the ‘deserving poor’.

Assessment of the Liberal Reforms

• Different reforms were introduced to target different groups.

Free School Meals

By 1914, 150,000 children

were getting

one good

meal a day.

Not compulsory – some councils did not provide school meals.

Pensions

Kept many old

people out of the workhous

e.

Was refused to

people who had

never worked in their life.

Labour Exchanges

By 1914, 1 million people were being

employed by the Labour

Exchange.

Most of the jobs were

temporary or part-time.

The government

did not increase the number of

jobs available.

National Insurance

A vital safety net for people

during hard

times.

Poor people had to pay

contributions out of their wages. Dole and sickness

pay only lasted for a

limited time.

Free Medical Treatment

A life saver for

many.

Only available to the wage earner – could not

be used for wife or

children.

Task• Pick one of the 4 groups and explain

in your own words how the Liberal Reforms improved their lives.

• You need specific information about acts that were introduced.

• Look back at your table to help you.

Learning Objectives

• To evaluate the overall impact of the Liberal Reforms on the young, the old, the sick and the unemployed.

Success Criteria• I can provide a balanced

evaluation of the impact of the Liberal Reforms.

• I can justify an opinion, with evidence, on how successful the Liberal Reforms were in protecting certain groups.