Bread for All: The Origins of the Welfare State

Fascinating review of new publication Bread for All: The Origins of the Welfare State by Susan Pedersen in the London Review of Books. In particular, the latter sections about Beveridge’s views on the ideal family structure and how that shaped his plans, although this statement certainly struck a chord when thinking forward to UC today.

Welfare states provide entitlements: but to whom, and in what form, and under what conditions? When it comes to welfare states, the devil is always in the detail.

Bread for All: The Origins of the Welfare State

Paul_Treloar_AgeUK - 02 February 2018 12:29 PM

In particular, the latter sections about Beveridge’s views on the ideal family structure and how that shaped his plans

And within that he had some ‘interesting’ views about the role of women. Its a long time since I read the White Paper (Yes I have) but it included something to the affect that role of women was to bring up the next generation to run the Empire (ie not be in employment).

Its still the biggest selling White Paper of all time (at least before such things became available on-line). There is some wonderful Pathe news film of people queueing up (so British!) outside book shops to buy a copy on the day of publication.

Its deadly dull by the way!