Unemployment

1
Unemployment
2
Unemployment

• Seen as a moral problem caused by individual
  idleness- idea of self help
• New Liberalism The state had a moral duty to
  intervene positively to help the weakest members
  of society

http//www.learningcurve.gov.uk/britain1906to1918/
g1/cs3/g1cs3s1.htm
3
Unemployed Workmens Act, 1905

• Inherited unemployed workmens Act from
  Conservative
• Designed to provide help by setting up distress
  committees in boroughs with a population of more
  than 50,000

4
Unemployed Workmens Act, 1905

• Able to assist proper cases thrifty, good
  character, had not received poor law, by given
  financial help or assisting families to emigrate
• Funded by voluntary donations, soon ran out but
  first step in state taken responsibility

5
Labour exchanges

• To enable workers and employers to register their
  requirements in one central location
• 1909 bill passed through Parliament and by the
  following Feb, 83 labour exchanges were set up

6
Labour exchanges

• By 1914, 3000 people were fixed up with work
  everyday
• More beneficial for skilled workers than
  unskilled

7
Unemployment Insurance

• Got under way in July 1912 but benefits were not
  payable until January 1913
• Within 2 years, 2.3 million workers were insured
  but only in certain trades (7)

8
Unemployment Insurance

• Workers who did not join scheme or had used their
  entitlement still had to turn to the poor law
• Small proportion of working population but
  beginning of more comprehensive system for
  dealing with the problems of unemployment

9
National Insurance Act, 1911

• Contributions workers 2 ½ per week, employers
  2 ½, state 3d
• Compulsory for trades that suffered
  cyclical/seasonal employment

10
National Insurance Act, 1911

• Entitlement 7 shillings (35p) a week up to 15
  weeks
• Payment register at labour exchange to receive
  payment
• Liberals took 5 years to finalise Part II

11
Further Acts

• Compensation for injuries sustained at work, 1906
  built on previous acts and extended acts to cover
  nearly all employers now liable to pay
  compensation for industrial diseases- source of
  poverty
• Shorter hours to compensate for dangerous and
  difficult jobs, 1909, e.g. coalminers campaigned
  for 40 years

12
Further Acts

• Minimum wage for female labour in sweated trades,
  1909 Trades Board Act, 1913 170,000 workers
  protected mainly women
• however no attempt made to define minimum wage

13
Half day off for shop assistants, 1911

• Extended acts to cover nearly all employees,
  employers now liable to pay compensation