It was H. H. Asquith who, as Chancellor in early 1908, announced the intention of Sir Henry Campbell–Bannerman's government to introduce old age pensions. Asquith became Prime Minister in April 1908 and was succeeded as Chancellor by David Lloyd George, who introduced the Old Age Pensions Act in May 1908. The act became law later the same year and pensions were paid from 1 January 1909.
Lloyd George announced his intention to introduce National Insurance, in order to put Britain "on a level with Germany", in his 1909 Budget speech; National Insurance was introduced by the National Insurance Act of 1911.
© Haydn Thompson 2017