<P> Child benefits in the United Kingdom are a series of welfare payments and tax credits made to parents with children in the UK, a major part of the welfare state . </P> <P> The first modern child tax credit was introduced in the 1909' People's Budget' of Lloyd - George . This introduced a £ 10 income tax allowance per child, for tax payers earning under £ 500 per annum . Following extensive Parliamentary debate, the Budget became law as the Finance Act (1909--1910) 1910 on 29 April 1910 . Since the income tax rate was then 1 shilling, two pence in the pound (5.83%), the value of the tax credit was therefore 11 shillings and eight pence per child . Since most people did not earn enough to pay tax, this was a subsidy for middle class parents . The nominal value of these tax credits were generally, though not always, increased in line with income tax rates . For instance, by 1916, income tax had increased to five shillings in the pound (25%), and the tax credit to £ 25, giving a value of the tax credit of £ 6 5 shillings . </P> <P> Calls began for a specific family payment in the early part of the 20th century . These were successfully opposed by those who saw men, earning higher wages than women, as bread - winners, supporting the family through their wages - family allowance payments were seen as socialist and / or feminist in nature . In addition, eugenicist arguments perceived the poor as unworthy of support . </P>

When were child benefits introduced in the uk