celebrates 50 years of revolutionary equality legislation championed by one woman: Barbara Castle.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Child Benefit Act, introduced by Barbara Castle when she was Secretary of State for Social Services 1974-76.

Unlike the previous Family Allowance, the new benefit began with families' first child and Castle stipulated that the money must be paid directly to mothers.

She faced and overcame considerable opposition from unions whose male members would receive less money in their pay packets as a consequence of mothers receiving the new benefit directly.