the impact of the Welfare State on Northern Ireland
Impact of the Welfare State
The Welfare State was an idea that brought about changes throughout Northern Ireland, especially in the three areas of health, housing and education. It did this through funding from London, as Northern Ireland could not pay for these reforms out of its own income. After Northern Ireland helped the UK in WW2, they were looked upon in a better way. In return, most of the taxation control was given to the British government. They were also given aid from the Marshall plan. Although at the time Lord Basil Brooke, the PM for Northern Ireland, was reluctant to introduce the Welfare State, for fear it would benefit Catholics more so than Protestant Unionists, it turned out to be a fantastic success for both, however also succeeded in increasing tensions between the two religions, whilst completely changing the overall situation in Northern Ireland.
One of the main areas of reform in the Welfare State was health. It introduced free health care, better old age pensions, disability payments, and an overall more professional service. After a number of Health Acts, the National Health Service (NHS) was established. It provided free medical care, a GP, and medicine to all patients. This health care was supervised by local county health authorities, and above them the Northern Ireland General Health Services Board. TB, which killed around 170 people in 1950, was eradicated due to an incredibly successful programme.
However, it was not left without problems. As always, sectarianism featured. The Mater Hospital, a Catholic hospital in Belfast, run by the Mercy nuns, decided against the new reforms, fearing Unionist government interference. As a result, Catholics were forced to give donations to their hospitals, while also paying taxes for a service the Protestants got and they didn’t. This was one factor of the steadily increasing resentment.
Housing was also an area that saw massive change due to the Welfare State. First and foremost, in 1945,
The Welfare State was an idea that brought about changes throughout Northern Ireland, especially in the three areas of health, housing and education. It did this through funding from London, as Northern Ireland could not pay for these reforms out of its own income. After Northern Ireland helped the UK in WW2, they were looked upon in a better way. In return, most of the taxation control was given to the British government. They were also given aid from the Marshall plan. Although at the time Lord Basil Brooke, the PM for Northern Ireland, was reluctant to introduce the Welfare State, for fear it would benefit Catholics more so than Protestant Unionists, it turned out to be a fantastic success for both, however also succeeded in increasing tensions between the two religions, whilst completely changing the overall situation in Northern Ireland.
One of the main areas of reform in the Welfare State was health. It introduced free health care, better old age pensions, disability payments, and an overall more professional service. After a number of Health Acts, the National Health Service (NHS) was established. It provided free medical care, a GP, and medicine to all patients. This health care was supervised by local county health authorities, and above them the Northern Ireland General Health Services Board. TB, which killed around 170 people in 1950, was eradicated due to an incredibly successful programme.
However, it was not left without problems. As always, sectarianism featured. The Mater Hospital, a Catholic hospital in Belfast, run by the Mercy nuns, decided against the new reforms, fearing Unionist government interference. As a result, Catholics were forced to give donations to their hospitals, while also paying taxes for a service the Protestants got and they didn’t. This was one factor of the steadily increasing resentment.
Housing was also an area that saw massive change due to the Welfare State. First and foremost, in 1945,