1. Why could these 4
clues lead to social
change in 1900?

2. Lesson Objectives
To identify and explain the spread and impact of poverty in Britain in 1900
To identify and explain the work of key individuals – Booth, Rowntree and Lloyd George
To evaluate the impact of the Liberal Social Reforms on poverty in Britain by 1911

3. What were living conditions like in 1899?
Rowntree (a person not a fruit pastille) conducted an inquiry in York, he found that:
1) Poverty was caused by sickness, old age, low wages and unemployment, NOT laziness and drunkenness.
2) Old people had to live in workhouses
3) Unskilled workers could not afford to insure themselves against unemployment and illness so if anything happened to prevent them working, they had nothing.

4. What were living conditions like for ordinary people in 1899?
Booth Report
1903
1/3 of all people in Britain lived
below the poverty line
The Government must act!

5. Why did Public Health start to change?
1) 1902 – people were shocked that 40% of those who bravely volunteered to fight in the Boer War were too ill due to malnutrition and related diseases caused by poor diet.
2) It was clear that ill-health was linked to poverty and government action was needed to raise standards
3)The Liberal Government was worried that if they didn’t do something to help the poor then people would vote for the newly created Labour Government.

6. What did they do? 1906 – Provided free school meals
1907 – School medical inspections checked children of school age.
1909 – Old Age Pension Act –
People over 70 were given
money if their pension was low
1909 – Labour Exchanges set up to help unemployed find work.
1911 – National Insurance Act
Sick pay up to 26 weeks, free medical treatment
Out of work people could claim unemployment pay for up to 15 weeks.
David Lloyd George

7. What does this source suggest about public reactions to the Liberal Social Reforms?

8. How did people react to reforms?
Fierce Resistance from many!! People didn’t want to pay – the rich did not want to provide for the poor!
It made the Liberal Government VERY unpopular so that 2 elections had to be held.
Pensions to orphans and widows had to be dropped

9. Was it all doom?
No!
Successes included