1. ACT/EVENTSCholera OutbreaksSTATS/FACTSIMPACT 1848 – Public Health Act1) 1831-32 32,000 people died, it started in Sunderland and then it spread nationwide 2)1848-49 14,137 died in London Central Board in London was set up (for only 5 years only). 10% of the local rate-payers had to petition for the creation of a local board of health and the appointment of medical officers. If death rate was 23/1000 the Central Board (in London) could make the local government appoint and pay for a Medical Officer. Wasn’t compulsory, local governments didn’t report death rates higher than 23/1000, ratepayers didn’t want to pay for improvements to poor areas. Self- Help/Smiles/Laissez Faire too strong. High death rates continued (Leeds had a death rate of 31.6 /1000 in 1865). Bazalgette’s refoms 1858-75 LONDON ONLY 3) 1853-54 10,738 died in London 4) 1866 –2,236 died in London in an area not connected to Bazelgette’s sewers 6.5 million granted by government, 83 miles of main sewers built & 1100 miles of sewage pipes connected streets in Central London Improved the health of Central London, but not the poor areas such as the East End, but did inspire other cities to follow suit such as Leeds in the 1870s. 1875 – Public Health ActNO MORE BIG OUTBREAKSDisraeli’s ‘Ministry of Sewage’ 1874-1880 - Compulsory! Made local governments for the first time appointment medical officers and sanitary officers to monitor death rates and sanitary conditions Was an improvement but medical officers and sanitary officers still relied on local taxes to create improvements – Progress was slow and often improvement was only made in more affluent, middle-class towns and areas. 1875 – Artisans Dwelling Act NO MORE BIG OUTBREAKSGave local governments the right to buy and then clear slums and replace them with better housing. Was permissive – Local governments couldn’t be forced to demolish slums. Some demolished slums, evicted tenants and built better more expensive, rentable housing, therefore forcing slum dwellers elsewhere for example the East End of London. 1876 – River Pollution ActNO MORE BIG OUTBREAKSMade it an illegal for companies to dump waste in riversSome impact as companies could be fined by law. Therefore some stopped doing it. However the local government had to have the funds to take them to court. Causes of reform 1) Charles Booth NO MORE BIG OUTBREAKSLife and Labour of the People in LondonLife and Labour of the People in London, 2nd ed., (1892–97) showed the poverty in the East End. Showed that 30% of Londoners (the richest capital in the world) lived in poverty. Because Booth was a rich businessman his findings shocked middle class people (including Beatrice Potter). Some like Beatrice become Socialists demanding greater help for the poor and a more even spread of the nation’s wealth. (Socialists wanted a greater share of the wealth and less private, rich individuals.

2. ACTS/EVENTSSTATS/FACTSIMPACT 2) Seebohm Rowntree Poverty: a Study of Town Life., 1 st ed., (1901) established the poverty line and the idea of primary poverty (people who are poor despite living thrifty lives). 1/3 of the population of York lived in poverty. In the early years of the 20 th century, the rising Liberal Party and concern over National Efficiency, meant that these detailed surveys commanded much attention. Poverty was now seen by more people of influence to be an issue demanding nationwide attention to alleviate it and not something which was mainly due to the weaker morals of the working classes. Rowntree was advisor to Liberal Lloyd George from 1907. 3) The Boer War1899-1901 – A war waged in South Africa. 38% of men who volunteered were unfit to serve in some towns it was 9/10! Britain couldn’t raise an army fit enough to protect the empire. A report that followed (as part of the National Efficiency debate) recommended Medical inspections of school pupils, free school meals for the poor and training for new mothers in parenting. Many of these became Liberal reforms from 1906-1914. 4) Rise of Labour1903 the Labour Party was formed to unite trade unionists and socialists. It campaigned for unemployment help for the poor and old age pensions, paid for by the government (state) This meant that the existing Liberal and Conservatives had to try to keep the working class vote as 6/10 could vote by 1900. New Liberalism emerged who were Liberals committed to creating reforms to help the poor. To get the vote and genuine belief in change. 5) German reforms1871-1890 Germany provided insurance against sickness for working old(1883) and old age pensions (1889) International competition meant that many MPs especially Liberals wanted to match or better the German reforms to show Britain was more advanced. Old Age Pensions Act (1908) Pensions for over 70s paid for by the state. 5 shillings a week (27.50 in today’s money) For over 70s! Average of death was 47 for a man and 50 for a woman. The amount paid did not get the poorest above the poverty line. If you had claim poor-relief in the last 10 years you couldn’t claim! Cost the government 8 million! National Insurance Act Part 1 (1911) Sickness benefit: Workers contributed 4d, employers 3d and the government 2d (9 pence for 4 pence) for 13 weeks. Compulsory, 15 million insured for sickness benefit by 1913. but many workers’ were angry at having to pay more out of meagre wages, families didn’t receive benefits only the worker (Self or unemployed NO HELP) and after 26 weeks it was back to the parish for help. National Insurance Act Part 2 (1911) Contributions: worker 2.5 pence/week, the employer 2.5 and the taxpayer 3 pence. After one week of unemployment, the worker would be eligible to receive 7 shillings/week for up to 15 weeks in a year. The money would be collected from labour exchanges. Compulsory, by 1913, 2.3 million were insured under the scheme for unemployment benefit and it meant that a worker had 15 weeks to find work, but it only covered 7 main trades. No cover for the family members so those with large families would still suffer the most. Killed off the concept of Self Help/thrift.