2. Before the twentieth century
the British government did
very little to help poor or other
vulnerable people.
Society was run based on
‘laissez faire’, the idea that
problems would fix
themselves, and it was not
the government’s job to
interfere in people’s lives.

3. This meant that the poor
had to rely on charity, or
the hated and feared
Poor House.
The Poor House was a
place that the poorest
people (of all ages)
would go to work and
then get the barest of
support e.g. shelter,
food, etc.

4. However by the late-1800s
and early-1900s, social
attitudes began to change,
meaning that the government
came under pressure to help
various groups.
There are various reasons for
this, including political
advantage and the effects of
changing politics.

5. The 1906-1914 Liberal
Governments are most
remembered for the
various social changes
they introduced.
These included laws to
help: the elderly,
young people, the
sick, workers and the
unemployed too.

6. The 1906-1914 Liberal
Governments are most
remembered for the
various social changes
they introduced.
These included laws to
help: the elderly,
young people, the
sick, workers and the
unemployed too.