Beveridge William

William Beveridge was a British economist and social reformer best known for his 1942 report, which laid the foundation for the modern welfare state in the UK. His work identified “five giants”—want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness—that needed to be addressed to improve society. The Beveridge Report proposed comprehensive social insurance to provide support for citizens in need, leading to the establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) and other welfare programs. Beveridge’s ideas emphasized the importance of government intervention in ensuring the well-being of all individuals, particularly in times of hardship.