成人快手

The effectiveness of the Liberal social welfare reformsReforms to help the working class

Between 1906 and 1914, the Liberals introduced social reforms to assist the young, old, unemployed, sick and workers generally. They had a limited impact on improving people's lives.

Part of HistoryBritain (1851-1951)

Reforms to help the working class

Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906

Details and successes

  • all employees could now receive compensation for injuries sustained and certain diseases contracted at work

Limitations

  • it was difficult and costly to prove the liability of employers
  • many cases could not be brought to court without trade union support

Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908

Details and successes

  • maximum working day for miners set at 8 hours

Limitations

  • this limit only applied to miners and not other workers in the mines

Trade Boards Act, 1909

Details and successes

  • set up boards to negotiate minimum wage in box-making, lace-making, chain-making and tailoring trades
  • 200,000 workers benefited

Limitations

  • no attempt made to define what the 'minimum wage' was

Shops Act, 1911

Details and successes

  • shop workers granted a weekly half-day holiday
  • maximum working week for shop workers set at 60 hours
  • washing facilities to be provided in every shop.

Limitations

  • only a half-day per week was guaranteed

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