The Liberals in Office Introduced reforms of a limited kind, Campbell-Bannermann More far reaching and innovative- Asquith,Lloyd George, Churchill Came to power in 1906 with a massive majority of 356 (including labour and Irish nationalists) Main concern still free trade but minority of New liberals were able to influence the party and commit them to social reforms
The Young As education was now compulsory, it was clear many children were coming to school hungry, dirty and suffering from ill health Efforts to provide school meals can be traced back to the 1860s Arguments in favour were feed the stomach then the mind and due to the physical decline of the population highlighted by the Boer war, national efficiency had to start at schools with regular inspections
The education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906 Not a liberal initiative. Labour proposed Private Members Bill: Libs saw it was popular, supported it and passed as legislation. Gave voluntary rights to local education to provide free school meals. Either in conjuction with voluntary bodies or on their own(received 50% grant) 14 million school meals provided in 1914, parents were charged if they could afford it, due to large numbers receiving a public funded welfare service run by the board replaced charitable efforts
The education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906 Drawbacks:only voluntary, only half the education authorities by 1914 were providing the service As a result the government made it compulsory in 1914 Difficult to say who deserved a school meal as a result provided free to all children Move away from self-help
Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907 Initiated by Robert L Morant, secretary of the Education board Government not enthusiastic because it knew inspection would reveal chronic health problems Small step towards healthcare for all Two parts: (a) compulsory medical inspections at schools, and (b) free medical treatment Drawback of part (b)- not compulsory, therefore ignored Made compulsory in 1912, provided grants and school clinics
Free Places scheme (1907) Secondary schools were required to reserve a quarter of their places, free of charge, for children from elementary school. Idea was to provide an academic education for gifted working class children. In practice, few took up the offer Their income was more important to the majority of families, than an education which they might not be able to use.
Children Act, 1908 Creation of Liberal member, Herbert Samuel Brought together earlier laws to cover all aspects of care of children Became known as Childrens charter Alcohol/tobacco sales oulawed Remand homes/borstals/pr obation officers Protected shildren from abuse Marked major intervention in the lives of people by the government