Making of Modern Britain 1880-1951 - progress on implementing Beveridge report

1. Making of Modern Britain
Progress on
implementing
the Beveridge
Report

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Describe steps taken to tackle the
problems of the ‘Five Giants’
Implementing the Beveridge Report

3. The Beveridge Report was issued during World War
Two and it included a series of proposals to tackle
various social problems in Britain.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

4. William Beveridge’s report
was published in 1942. It
identified Five Giants that
Britain needed to tackle.
These were Disease (poor
health), Ignorance (poor
education), Squalor (bad
housing), Idleness
(unemployment) and also
Want (poverty).
Implementing the Beveridge Report

5. During the remainder of
World War Two, the British
government took some
steps to implement
Beveridge’s plans.
The 1945-51 Labour
governments introduced
an extensive range of
policies aimed at tackling
the Five Giants.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

6. Want
(Poverty)
Implementing the Beveridge Report

7. Wartime government
In 1943, a government
department was set up to
oversee insurance benefits,
helping more people.
In 1945, plans for child
benefit were introduced. It
was given to all families
with two or more children.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

8. Labour governments
Labour brought in the
National Insurance Act.
This meant workers paid
money weekly and then
could get various benefits.
These included sickness
and unemployment
benefits, and pensions.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

9. Labour also brought in the
National Assistance Act.
This was for people who
did not pay national
insurance because they
were out of work, disabled
or very low paid.
This covered weekly or
one-off payments.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

10. Ignorance
(Poor education)
Implementing the Beveridge Report

11. Wartime government
In 1944, plans were made
to raise the school leaving
age to 15.
The so-called 11+ exam
was introduced. Pupils sat
this to determine the type
of secondary school they
would attend.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

12. Labour governments
Labour undertook a huge
school building
programme, partly to
replace those bombed
during the war.
This mainly focused on
building new primary
schools.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

13. Squalor
(Bad housing)
Implementing the Beveridge Report

14. Wartime government
More homes were built to
try to tackle homelessness,
especially that caused by
air raids.
The price of building
materials was regulated to
keep control of housing
building costs.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

15. Labour governments
Labour introduced new
towns, 12 purpose built
towns across Britain with
homes and other facilities
such as schools.
Labour also oversaw a
housebuilding programme,
including prefabs.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

16. Idleness
(Unemployment)
Implementing the Beveridge Report

17. Wartime government
During the war there was
very little unemployment
in Britain. This is due to all
the war jobs which needed
to be done.
Some people worried
unemployment would rise
after the war ended.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

18. Labour governments
Labour nationalised many
businesses, meaning the
government took control
of them.
This included gas, mining,
rail and others. This let the
government fund these to
stop unemployment.
Implementing the Beveridge Report

19. Disease
(Poor health)
Implementing the Beveridge Report

20. Labour governments
In 1948, Labour introduced
the National Health
Service.
This meant people got
healthcare for free,
including GP visits,
hospital treatment and
other help such as glasses.
Implementing the Beveridge Report