15.2 National government policies

Question 1

What changes did the government make to unemployment benefits in 1931?

Answer 1

In 1931 there was a 10% cut to unemployment benefits

Question 2

What were the terms of the 1934 Unemployment act?

Answer 2

• Unemployment act restored the 1931 cuts to unemployment benefits
• Introduced household means test for dole payments which was controversial (hard to obtain)

Question 3

What were the limitations of the 1935 Special Areas act?

Answer 3

• Only £2 million to the most depressed areas
• Many old industrial areas did not qualify for funding
• Government prefered people to move from depressed areas than for business to move to the depressed areas

Question 4

What two acts 1937 and 1938 did the government introduce to improve working conditions?

Answer 4

1937 - Factory Act raised safety standards and 11m covered by NI

1938 - Holiday with pay act (1920’s 1.5m > 1939)

Question 5

What did the 1933 and 1935 Housing Acts do?

Answer 5

• Housing Acts were more successful in improving living conditions.
• This built upon measures imposed by Greenwood under MacDonald and gave subsidies to tackle slum clearance and were efficiently used.