1. Unemployment

2. Seen as a moral problem caused by individual idleness- idea of self help ‘New Liberalism’: ‘The state had a moral duty to intervene positively to help the weakest members of society’ http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/britain1906to1918/g1/cs3/g1cs3s1.htm

3. Unemployed Workmen’s Act, 1905 Inherited unemployed workmen’s Act from Conservative Designed to provide help by setting up distress committees in boroughs with a population of more than 50,000

4. Unemployed Workmen’s Act, 1905 Able to assist ‘proper cases’: thrifty, good character, had not received poor law, by given financial help or assisting families to emigrate Funded by voluntary donations, soon ran out but first step in state taken responsibility

5. Labour exchanges To enable workers and employers to register their requirements in one central location 1909 bill passed through Parliament and by the following Feb, 83 labour exchanges were set up

6. Labour exchanges By 1914, 3000 people were fixed up with work everyday More beneficial for skilled workers than unskilled

7. Unemployment Insurance Got under way in July 1912 but benefits were not payable until January 1913 Within 2 years, 2.3 million workers were insured but only in certain trades (7)

8. Unemployment Insurance Workers who did not join scheme or had used their entitlement still had to turn to the poor law Small proportion of working population but beginning of more comprehensive system for dealing with the problems of unemployment

9. National Insurance Act, 1911 Contributions: workers 2 ½ per week, employers 2 ½, state 3d Compulsory for trades that suffered cyclical/seasonal employment

10. National Insurance Act, 1911 Entitlement: 7 shillings (35p) a week up to 15 weeks Payment: register at labour exchange to receive payment Liberals took 5 years to finalise Part II

11. Further Acts Compensation for injuries sustained at work, 1906 built on previous acts and extended acts to cover nearly all employers now liable to pay compensation for industrial diseases- source of poverty Shorter hours to compensate for dangerous and difficult jobs, 1909, e.g. coalminers campaigned for 40 years

12. Further Acts Minimum wage for female labour in sweated trades, 1909 Trades Board Act, 1913 170,000 workers protected mainly women however no attempt made to define minimum wage

13. Half day off for shop assistants, 1911 Extended acts to cover nearly all employees, employers now liable to pay compensation