The Ageing of British Society

About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about population ageing in Britain since the early twentieth century, focusing in particular on: (i) the increase in the proportion of the population aged 65+ from around 10% in 1900 to 21% today, and its causes; (ii) the “panic” around population ageing in the early 1900s, and the development of state pensions from 1908 as the first official measure to address the issue; (iii) the growing attention given to support for older people from the 1940s, including in William Beveridge’s landmark 1942 report, and the creation of the state residential care system.

About the lecturer

Professor Pat Thane is Visiting Professor in History at Birkbeck, University of London. She researches twentieth century British history, with a focus on social policy. Her recent publications include Divided Kingdom: A History of Britain, 1900 to the Present (2018), Sinners? Scroungers? Saints? Unmarried Motherhood in Twentieth Century England (2012) (with Tanya Evans) and Happy Families? History and Family Policy (2011).