British History- The Beveridge Report & Others

When was the Beveridge Report published?

Mid WW2 in 1942

What were the 'Five Giants' of British society according to Beveridge?

Poverty, poor education, poor housing, unemployment and poor healthcare

How had Beveridge previously been involved in social reform?

Her helped to draft the 1911 National Insurance Act

What was the reaction of Churchill and the Conservatives to the Beveridge report?

They believed that the ambitions of the report would distract the public from the sacrifices (austerity) needed to win the war

What was the estimated cost of the reforms included in the Beveridge Report?

£302 million-- 3x the amount spent on welfare in 1941

How could the Beveridge Report have potentially antagonised America during WW2?

It raises suspicions that American wartime aid would start being spent on extravagant welfare

How many copies of the Beveridge Report sold in Britain?

It sold over 600,000 copies

What % of the British public did opinion polls say had heard of/supported the Beveridge Report?

95%

What were the political and policy consequences of the Beveridge Report?

The Conservatives opposition to it vs Labour's embracing it led to the election of the 1945 Labour Government and the Beveridge Report suggestions were the background to post-WW2 social reforms

When was the Beveridge Report debated in parliament and how many Labour MPs voted against the government's reluctance to accept it?

It was debated in 1943 and 121 Labour MPs voted in support of it

What was the political consequence of 121 Labour MPs opposing the government's stance on the Beveridge Report?

This broke the political truce of the war and increased Labour's popularity with the public

All but __ Conservative MPs rejected the Beveridge Report?

2

In which ways did the Beveridge Report break from the social policy of the IWYs?

Compulsory and not permissive, removal of the means test and NOT piecemeal reform/patching

In which ways did the Beveridge Report continue 19th century attitudes toward social reform?

The contributions are 'flat-rate' instead of progressive with income, it assumed that women will not be in employment, it continues using the framework of national insurance and encouraging saving

What kind of insurance scheme did the Beveridge Report call for?

An universal and compulsory insurance scheme with flat-rate contributions and no means test

How long did the Beveridge Report argue that benefits should be supplied for?

It should be maintained for an indefinite period of unemployment (as long as you're unemployed for)

Who did the Beveridge Report say should receive benefits that previously did not?

Women, dependents, children

How did Beveridge say the nature of social policy should change?

Policies on health, housing and unemployment should be linked and connected

Which Keynesian economic policy was promoted by the 1944 White Paper on Unemployment?

Full employment

How did the 1944 White Paper on Unemployment suggest that the government's economic role should change?

It urged high spending and greater government intervention-- move away from orthodoxy

Which act was passed as a direct consequence of the 1944 White Paper on Education?

Butler's Education Act 1944

Which educational policy concerning private schools was ignored by the government in the 1944 White Paper on Education?

It suggested that 25% of gifted public school students be sent to private school

How did the nature of healthcare change during WW2?

It became much more accessible despite class

How did the nature of housing change during WW2?

It was all bombed and it became a major issue for the public-- subsequent Labour and Conservative governments promise to build lots of housing