<P> The first unemployment benefit scheme was introduced in the United Kingdom with the National Insurance Act 1911 under the Liberal Party government of H.H. Asquith . The popular measures were to combat the increasing influence of the Labour Party among the country 's working - class population . The Act gave the British working classes a contributory system of insurance against illness and unemployment . It only applied to wage earners , however , and their families and the unwaged had to rely on other sources of support , if any . Key figures in the implementation of the Act included Robert Laurie Morant , and William Braithwaite . </P>
<P> The first unemployment benefit scheme was introduced in the United Kingdom with the National Insurance Act 1911 under the Liberal Party government of H.H. Asquith . The popular measures were to combat the increasing influence of the Labour Party among the country 's working - class population . The Act gave the British working classes a contributory system of insurance against illness and unemployment . It only applied to wage earners , however , and their families and the unwaged had to rely on other sources of support , if any . Key figures in the implementation of the Act included Robert Laurie Morant , and William Braithwaite . </P>
when did unemployment benefit start in the uk
when did unemployment benefit start in the uk
1911
1911