Despite it being aimed at helping people, it met strong resistance from the very people the liberals were trying to help. They didn't like the fact that they had to pay compulsory contributions.
5 1/2 million people were already paying into private schemes, and they didn't want to pay twice.
The Popular Press attacked the Liberals for this, but Lloyd George responded that he was giving them "9d for 4d". He managed to ease resistance from insurance companies, who were afraid they would lose money, by making them an integral part of the scheme.
He also appeased Labour, who wanted it to be paid for with higher taxes on the wealthy by promising to get payment from MPs. he honoured this committment in 1911.
The suspicious response is understanderble, as most workers distrusted the State after their tretment throughout the 19th Century through the workhouse, compulsory education and vaccination - none of which had really helped them very much. Many thought the Act was designed to put them in their place.
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