Sir William Beveridge's Impact On The Welfare Sector

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In 1942 on December 1st Sir William Beveridge an economist and social reformer, published a report entitled ‘Social insurance and Allied Services’. This was a 300-page report that spoke of ways to tackle in his words ‘the five giants’ this included ‘want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness’. (BBC, 2011) The report wanted to implement an all-inclusive system of social insurance ‘from cradle to grave’. The report mentioned that all working people contribute a weekly fee to the state. Benefits would be paid to the sick, unemployed, widowed and the retired. Beveridge wanted to build an acceptable standard of living in Britain that nobody fell below. (The national archives, 1942) This report came into effect with Clement Attlee the labour leader when he became prime minster in 1945. Clement Attlee brought in the welfare state. The welfare …show more content…

Numerous acts where set up to fight poverty and need including the National Insurance Act 1946, Industrial Injuries Act and National Assistance Act. People employed and working would pay national insurance that would help those who could not work and where short term solutions until the person could work again. Another act was the 1944 education act and this helps bring education levels up by giving free secondary education to everyone. Next, to tackle issues of Squalor came the 1946 housing act. This act saw new homes being built and a rent control in which tenants had more rights and interest above landlords. The biggest act that had the most impact however was the 1948 National Health Service Act. Aneurin Bevan was the minister for health and housing and this is the greatest legacy. It is clear that the acts that Clement Attlee brought in was for the good of Britain, to re build it and give people a fair chance of a good life, they tackled the inequalities to assist people to have equal opportunities in life regardless of wealth or