William Beveridge

Who was William Beveridge?

William Beveridge was a government minister, who wrote a report about rebuilding Britain after the Second World War.

When was the Beveridge Report published?

William Beveridge published The Beveridge Report in 1942.

What problems in society did Beveridge suggest the government should tackle?

The Beveridge Report suggested the government had a role to play in tackling the 5 'giant evils' of British society:

• ❖ Want (poverty).
• ❖ Disease.
• ❖ Ignorance (lack of education).
• ❖ Squalor (unhygienic living conditions).
• ❖ Idleness (unemployment).

What was the significance of the Beveridge Report?

The Beveridge Report became very famous, and raised people's hopes that the government would do more to build a healthier society after the Second World War. It formed the basis of the welfare state.

How did the governement respond to the Beveridge Report?

The government took 5 key measures to fix the 5 'giant evils'.

• ❖ The government introduced a range of benefits. For example a weekly family allowance, paid to the mother.
• ❖ The NHS was created.
• ❖ The Clean Air Acts (1952 & 1956) aimed to reduce pollution in towns and cities.
• ❖ The government embarked on a slum clearance programme in the 1960s. They were replaced by council housing with modern conveniences such as central heating.
• ❖ New towns, such as Milton Keynes, were built from scratch with more space and better public facilities like parks.