In December 2024, around 37% of Universal Credit claimants were in
employment. They are on U.C. because their wages are so low.
The early English workers did combine to form trade unions, but they didn't look on the state as some kind of fairy godmother. Unlike today, they were unlikely to ask 'what is the government going to do about it'? They formed friendly societies to protect themselves against sickness and unemployment, cooperative societies, and mechanics' institutes and reading clubs.
The National Union of Miners (NUM), built miners' institutes and recreation centres as well as convalescent homes. They also provided bursaries for miners undergoing education courses. A group of Northumberland miners in Ashington, formed an art appreciation group in 1934 and became known as "The Pitmen Painters." Mutual aid and solidarity were a feature of working-class life and communities in Victorian Britain. Many middle-class observers commented on this.
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Two points with regards to the above. I can't recall when it was now, but there were movements amongst organized workers' to have libraries available in work places. The other point is that I am currently reading a book that was written in the 1990's, by an ex-Labour councillor, who was advocating for the privatization of unemployment schemes, local communities taking responsibility for support for the marginalized in our society and the withdrawal of the government's role in such activities. He'd have a ministerial position in this government.
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