Amongst Unionists, only 12 voted in favour of the measure, while 11 voted against and 140 abstained.

Outline

The act provided for a non-contributory old age pension for people over the age of seventy, with the cost being borne by taxpayers generally. It was enacted in 1908 and was to pay a weekly pension of 5s (7s 6d for married couples) with effect from 1 January 1909. The level of benefit was deliberately set low - the approximate equivalent of £23 for unmarried pensioners and £37 for married

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