ABSTRACT
The basic outline of the British social security system was created between 1945 and 1948 following the Beveridge report of 1942. This established a two tier system of social welfare support. The principal form of social security provison for old age, unemployment, widowhood and industrial injury was to be based upon a system of compulsory National Insurance, entitlement to these benefits being dependent upon the contributions made by individuals via the National Insurance scheme. This was complemented by a ‘safety-net’ of means-tested National Assistance (now known as Supplementary Benefit) for individuals not covered by the insurance system. Eligibility for National Assistance was dependent upon the claimant demonstrating, via the means-test, an income less than a pre-determined level and a lack of capital assets.
