World Notes Britain

The Conservative government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher unveiled plans last week for the most ambitious overhaul of Britain's $51 billion-a-year welfare program since the cradle-to-grave system was launched in 1948. Some 20 million people would be affected, whether through tightening of the qualifications for a once-only maternity grant, eliminating a state-financed pension fund or restricting the $38 payment for funeral expenses to poor families. Special aid for the needy, housing benefits and payments to unemployed youths would also be axed. The foundations, the National Health Service and the basic old-age-pension system would not be touched by the proposals, which will be voted on by Parliament early next year.

Thatcher maintains that Britain cannot afford its generous welfare structure. Said Neil Kinnock, leader of the opposition Labor Party: "It is a cheap and nasty strategy from a cheating, nasty government." When Thatcher declined in Parliament last week to estimate how much would be saved by the cutbacks, she was taunted by Kinnock: "Is she afraid, innumerate or simply mendacious?" Replied Thatcher: "No. Factual."