Which government started to introduce welfare reforms to show a change from laissez-faire?

• A. The Conservative government
• B. The socialist government
• C. The nationalist government
• D. The liberal government

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is the move from a hands-off, laissez-faire approach to one where the state takes on responsibility for people's welfare. In Britain, this shift began with the Liberal government in the early 20th century, which introduced a series of welfare reforms to address poverty and social hardship. Key measures like old-age pensions and national insurance marked a clear departure from the idea that the government should do little beyond enforcing laws and maintaining free markets. These reforms showed the government stepping in to support workers and the poor, signaling a rethink of how much the state should intervene in people’s lives. The other options don’t fit because the Conservative government was more associated with traditional laissez-faire policy, and the socialist or nationalist governments were not the ones implementing these widespread welfare changes in Britain at that time.