It started in 1948, was fairly rubbish (but better than what was before), got too expensive, got better (slowly), worked well for a bit (2005-15), and now its rubbish again .. and we all lived happily ever after .. 🙂
[“Ps actually it didn’t (start in 1948). The 1911 National Insurance Act was the real birth.
But that, dear reader, is for another day.” MyHSN Ed]
