Liberal Reforms

1. Liberal Reforms Lesson starter: “It is the government’s responsibility to support and protect those in need.” Do you agree with the above statement? Give reasons for your answers.

2. Today we will… • Identify some of the social problems facing the government in the 1900s. • Explain why certain groups were targeted for the Liberal Reforms.

3. Success Criteria… • I will identify some of the social problems in Britain in the 1900s. • I will explain the reasons why certain groups were targeted by the Liberal Reforms.

4. In the 1900s, there were several problems in British society: WANT – People lacked basic needs, i.e. Food, shelter. DISEASE – Widespread diseases, i.e. TB and cholera. SQUALOR – poor housing and poor living conditions IGNORANCE – many people in society were poorly educated IDLENESS – people believed that people were poor because they were too lazy to work.

5. These problems affected certain groups more than others. The main groups affected by these issues were: The Young The Old The Sick The Unemployed

6. Task Two Use the information on the following slides to create a mind map on the problems facing the four groups. The Old The Young The Unemployed The Sick

7. The Young • The Liberals discovered the many of the problems that affected young people were caused by poor diet and poor health. • The government was worried about the health of future workers and future soldiers. • Politicians knew: Improved economy Healthier workers Healthier soldiers Stronger Empire Healthier children

8. The Old • The studies of Booth and Rowntree had shown that most poverty was caused by old age. • Other countries (Germany and New Zealand) had introduced pensions in 1906. • The Liberal party was under pressure from the Labour Party and the Trade Unions, as they supported pensions, so they wanted to attract working class voters to the Liberal Party.

9. The Sick • One of the main reasons for poverty was sickness – Lloyd George wanted to help people who were poor because of poor health. • Insurance meant that the worker, the employer and the state all paid into insurance schemes. • When a worker was ill, money was paid out for an amount of time. • Because the worker paid into the scheme, it was seen as ‘respectable’.

10. The Unemployed • Unemployment was seen as a main cause of poverty due to problems with the economy and people not being able to find work. • In the same way as insurance for the sick worked, the worker, the employer and the state paid into an insurance fund. • This paid out when people were unemployed and was also seen as ‘respectable’.

11. Why did the government only target certain groups? • Most people did not believe it was the government’s job to look after people in need – they still believed in ‘laissez-faire’. • By targeting the young, the old, the sick and the unemployed, the government was seen to help the most vulnerable in society – the “deserving poor”.

12. Quick quiz • In your pairs, answer the following questions in your jotters: • List the 4 groups that were targeted by the Liberal government. • Assess which group are most deserving of government support and explain why. • Pick one of the groups andplan three things that the government should provide to ease poverty for your chosen group.

13. Today we will… • Identify some of the social problems facing the government in the 1900s. • Explain why certain groups were targeted for the Liberal Reforms.

14. Success Criteria… • I will identify some of the social problems in Britain in the 1900s. • I will explain the reasons why certain groups were targeted by the Liberal Reforms.