Family Allowance Act 1945/ National Insurance Act 1946/ National Health Service Act 1948/ National Assistance Act 1948

The Family Allowances Act 1945 ensured that dependent children under 15, those aged 15-18 and still in education, and older non-working children over 15, were provided for by Family Allowance and Child Tax Allowance. The National Insurance Act 1946 created the structure of the Welfare State, with a contributory scheme for employees, employers and the government. The National Health Service Act 1948 provided people in Britain with free diagnosis and treatment of illness, at home or in hospital. The National Assistance Act 1948 created a financial safety net for those in total poverty, as they were not covered by the National Insurance Scheme.

The above Acts remain the same, but further legislation has been introduced:

a) Employment and Support Allowance Regulations

The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 and the Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2008 set out the entitlement conditions to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

ESA replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid because of incapacity or disability for new claims from October 2008. Incapacity Benefit and Income Support will continue to be paid to existing customers.

b) National Insurance Contributions Act 2006

c) National Health Service Act 2006, National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 and National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 were modified in April 2007.

Most health legislation made since 1977 has been summarised within the three Acts of Parliament above, which came into effect in March 2007.