Over One Hundred Years of Benefit

In the year nineteen hundred and twelve the National Insurance Act was introduced which was, however, passed by the government the year before. This would see the first major benefits for not only the sick but the unemployed. The first stepping stones towards the National Health Service we have today.

The new National Insurance Act specified that every worker who earned under £160 a year had to insure themselves by paying 4 pence a week, the employer paid 3 pence a week, and the general taxation paid 2 pence. As a result, workers could take sick leave and be paid 10 shillings a week for the first 13 weeks and 5 shillings/week for the next 13 weeks. Workers also gained access to free treatment for tuberculosis and the sick were eligible for treatment by a panel doctor.

Unemployment had risen by 30% nationally the previous year but in Glossop there was a population just over 21,000 according to the 1911 census of which there was around 60 unemployed. The worker gave 2.5 pence/week when employed, the employer 2.5 pence, and the taxpayer 3 pence. After one week of unemployment, the worker would be eligible of receiving 7 shillings/week for up to 15 weeks in a year.

More than one hundred years on unemployment is at an all-time high Glossop’s current population is around 30,000 according to the latest census with over 900 unemployed, however, there is more than 6,000 retirees. 

By M.R Cox

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