The origins of the welfare state in Britain

Before the twentieth century, welfare was considered to be the responsibility of local communities. The 'care' provided was often very poor. An especially hated institution in the nineteenth century was the workhouse, where the old, the sick, the mentally handicapped and orphans were sent. People were often treated very harshly in workhouses, or given as virtual slaves to equally harsh employers.

During the first half of the twentieth century a number of welfare benefits were introduced. These were a small old-age pension scheme (1908), partial sickness and unemployment insurance (1912) and unemployment benefits conditional on regular contributions and proof of need (1934). The real impetus for the welfare state came in 1942 from a government commission, headed by William Beveridge, and its report on 'social insurance and allied services'. In 1948 the National Health Act turned the report's recommendations into law and the National Health Service was set up.

The mass rush for free treatment caused the government health bill to swell enormously. In response to this, the first payment within the NHS (a small fixed charge for medicines) was introduced in 1951. Other charges (such as that for dental treatment in 1952) followed.

The health and social welfare system is part of everyone's life in Britain. It provides help for anyone who is raising a family or who is elderly, Sick, disable, unemployed, widowed or disadvantaged.

Everyone at some point in their lives will receive help from its varied services, ranging from health checks for children, home help for disabled or elderly people or cash benefits to cover periods of unemployment.

The three pillars of the health and social welfare system are:

The National Health Service - the health of the community is the responsibility of the NHS, free to everyone who normally lives in Britain.

The Personal Social Services - provided by local authorities for elderly and disabled people, those with mental disorders and for families and their children.

Social Security - designed to secure a basic standard of living for people who are unemployed, help for families and help towards the coast of disablement.