Issues: Politics and Social Responsibility

The Welfare State

The Welfare State began during World War 2. It was established to combat the five evil giants that people believed faced Britain at that time:

• WANT - many people were very poor, maybe because they were sick, unemployed or widowed by the war.
• DISEASE - there was no free medical treatment. Many people simply could not afford to see a doctor if they were ill.
• IGNORANCE - Most children left school at 14 or before. You only stayed on at school after the age of 11 if you could pay.
• SQUALOR - There was not enough council housing available. Many people were living in slums.
• IDLENESS - 10% of the work force were unemployed.

Between 1944 and 1951 the Welfare State began, which attempted to address the five evils of society. The school leaving age was raised to 15. National Insurance, a tax paid by workers was introduced to pay for free medical treatment for all, and pensions. New council houses were built and new towns established to house people living in poor conditions. Industries were nationalized to help lower unemployment.