Macmillan's 'never had it so good' - how true was it?

Question 1

wages - evidence to support quote:

Answer 1

-steady rise in average earnings after WW2
-1950 = 6.8s, 1964 = £18.35
-even though inflation increased, it never overtook the increase in real wages
-greater availability of credit

Question 2

wages - evidence to challenge quote:

Answer 2

-inflation still increases!

Question 3

housing - evidence to support quote:

Answer 3

-electrification was extended to even rural places
-Macmillan achieved the 300,00 homes a year promise
-1951-64 = 1.7 million hones built
-housing market boomed, property owning democracy was created

Question 4

housing - evidence to challenge quote:

Answer 4

-1957 rent act: rents rose significantly so some tenants couldn’t afford leases
-the number of people living in council houses was still a lot higher than the number of private homeowners

Question 5

employment - evidence to support quote:

Answer 5

-almost full employment
-only reached 2% unemployment 8 times between 1948 and 1970

Question 6

employment - evidence to challenge quote:

Answer 6

-unemployment did increase
-1957 = 383,000 unemployed
-1954 = 501,000 unemployed

Question 7

education - evidence to support quote:

Answer 7

-education minister introduced idea of abolishing 11+ entrance exams
-conservatives decided the comprehensive system was the best idea and made purpose built schools
-this created a fairer system

Question 8

education - evidence to challenge quote:

Answer 8

• comprehensive schools denied able children from disadvantaged backgrounds
  -selection by ability became selection by income

Question 9

leisure - evidence to support quote:

Answer 9

-by 1965 37% of people had a car, which increased social and career opportunities
-the public went to the cinema a lot - 9/10 kids went regularly
-purchasing of consumer goods rose by 8%
-hobbies thrived as people had more free time, classic seaside towns e.g. Brighton became popular holiday destinations

Question 10

leisure - evidence to challenge quote:

Answer 10

-still only less than 2% of people went on foreign holidays

Question 11

overall.. how true was the claim?

Answer 11

true to a large extent:
-steady rise in average earnings
-greater availability of credit
-electrification extended
-1.7mil homes built 1951-64
-almost full employment throughout whole period
-introduction of comprehensive schools system
-increased purchase of consumer goods
-increase in leisure activities
-more people owned cars
BUT
-inflation still increased
-the number of people living in council houses was still a lot higher than the number of private homeowners