1942 Social Insurance

and Allied Services Report

Beveridge's report was an attempt to break away from the legacy of the Poor Law and establish a new, universal system of benefits in return for contributions. He identified five giant evils of Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness. He proposed a comprehensive social insurance scheme, backed up with national assistance. Financed by the State and funded through weekly payments made by employers and employees from pay. He based his proposal on three basic

assumptions: full employment; family allowances; free universal health service. This scheme, he argued, should provide a safety net against the uncertainties of life: unemployment, sickness, old age. His mantra throughout the report was 'Abolition of Want'.

The vitality of a nation must depend on its individual members, and will

increase in proportion to their vitality. Thus it is in the national interest to

raise the general health of the individuals as high as possible. He wrote.