About the Trust
The Trust was set up in 1944 as a memorial to Beatrice Webb.
In 1947 the Trust purchased a large country house close to Holmbury St. Mary, near Dorking, in Surrey as a conference centre for the ‘advancement of education and learning with respect to the history and problems of government and social policy’ It was renamed Beatrice Webb House.
From the 1950s through to the 1970s the house became an important base for education and discussion for bodies such as the Fabian Society and many trade unions.
However, with the continuing decline in demand for such a facility in the late seventies and eighties, changing requirements by users and the deteriorating fabric of the building, the Trust decided in 1986 to sell the house.
The money realised from the sale provides the funds for the Trust’s activities today.
Since 1987 The Trust has funded a wide range of projects in the UK and Eastern Europe.
From 2006-2010 most of its expenditure has been used to support two major projects. The first established the Webb Institute of Leadership and Democracy at Ruskin College while the second more publicised project was designed to celebrate the centenary of the Webbs’ Minority report to the Poor Law Commission in 1909.
Funding Applications
For the next 5 years the Trust has committed most of its funding resources to a structured programme that will concentrate on the issues of poverty and inequality in the UK.
Funding applications outside of that programme may be considered provided they relate to the provision of solutions to the reduction in poverty and inequality in the UK. Applications should be made online using this application form
All the work supported should reflect the original aims and ambitions of the Webbs – the achievement of social and economic justice and the advancement of education and learning with respect to the history and problems of government and social policy.
Funding applications from individuals including students will be rejected.
Our Trustees are:
- Richard Rawes (Chair)
- Mike Parker (Honorary Secretary)
- Robert Lloyd-Davies
- Baroness Dianne Hayter of Kentish Town
- Mike Gapes MP
- Richard Fries
- Chris White MP
- Kate Green MP
Related Websites:
Publications & Reports
- The Solidarity Society (7.1 MB)
- Poverty Index Essay By Celia Goodburn (67.3 KB)
- Poverty Index By Anil Prashar (86.5 KB)
- From The Poor Law To Welfare To Work (3.0 MB)
- The 1909 minority report to the Poor Law Commission (92.4 MB)
- Beatrice Webb - Her quest for a fairer society (2.0 MB)
- A Minority View (1.7 MB)