Beveridge Report
What were Beveridges 5 Giants? How did they relate to the 1930’s and how far did his 1942 report go towards defeating them?
This essay will attempt to explain and asses what Bevereidges five giants were and how they related to the 1930s and how far his 1942 report went towards defeating them. Looking at each of the five Giants individually I will explain if a how they were defeated.
Britain’s provision of welfare underwent a massive overhaul in the middle of the second World War .William Beveridge played a key role in these changes by writing a report which revised the social security system. It was determined by Beveridge that certain policies were required to combat the evils of society. They were referred to as “The Five Giants”. (Timmins 1996)
Want - National Insurance Benefits (social security)
A key factor of the Beveridge report was to combat poverty. A system was introduced for workers to pay a flat rate contribution from earned income to provide insurance cover in the event of sickness or unemployment. (Fraser 2003)
Ignorance - Free education for children up to the age of 15
Education for children would now be provided on a universal, free of charge basis. A building plan was introduced to ensure every local authority had primary and secondary schools. (Fraser 2003)
Disease - National Health Service
A proposal was drawn up in 1943 by the Ministry of Health for a National Health Service. This would be funded by national insurance and taxes.
The benefits of this scheme would offer a national, free at point of use health, dental and optical service. (Fraser 2003)
Idleness - Commitment from the state to assist full employment
Much of the Beveridge report was based on the dependency of full employment.
He believed that poverty and unemployment were linked to a lack of information which hindered people in finding work. (Fraser 2003)
Squalor - Provision of adequate housing to rent
Most people lived in privately rented accommodation in pre
This essay will attempt to explain and asses what Bevereidges five giants were and how they related to the 1930s and how far his 1942 report went towards defeating them. Looking at each of the five Giants individually I will explain if a how they were defeated.
Britain’s provision of welfare underwent a massive overhaul in the middle of the second World War .William Beveridge played a key role in these changes by writing a report which revised the social security system. It was determined by Beveridge that certain policies were required to combat the evils of society. They were referred to as “The Five Giants”. (Timmins 1996)
Want - National Insurance Benefits (social security)
A key factor of the Beveridge report was to combat poverty. A system was introduced for workers to pay a flat rate contribution from earned income to provide insurance cover in the event of sickness or unemployment. (Fraser 2003)
Ignorance - Free education for children up to the age of 15
Education for children would now be provided on a universal, free of charge basis. A building plan was introduced to ensure every local authority had primary and secondary schools. (Fraser 2003)
Disease - National Health Service
A proposal was drawn up in 1943 by the Ministry of Health for a National Health Service. This would be funded by national insurance and taxes.
The benefits of this scheme would offer a national, free at point of use health, dental and optical service. (Fraser 2003)
Idleness - Commitment from the state to assist full employment
Much of the Beveridge report was based on the dependency of full employment.
He believed that poverty and unemployment were linked to a lack of information which hindered people in finding work. (Fraser 2003)
Squalor - Provision of adequate housing to rent
Most people lived in privately rented accommodation in pre
Bibliography: Fraser, D. (2003) The Evolution Of The British Welfare State. Palgrave Macmillan. New York. Timmins, N. (1996) The Five Giants. Harper Collins. London