Post-War boom

Question 1

Give 3 examples of economic improvement.

Answer 1

• Food rationing had ended in 1954
• Near full employment in 1955, only 1% unemployment (200,000)
• Huge expansion in electrical and engineering works and more jobs related to industries in cars, steel and other metals.

Question 2

What did a booming global economy lead to?

Answer 2

A sustained increase in overseas trade which brought high levels of earnings from exports and investments.

Question 3

What did economic growth and low unemployment bring to the people?

Answer 3

Rising wages and most people enjoyed a spectacular rise in income.

Question 4

What happened in the run up to the 1955 election?

Answer 4

Rab Butler, the Chancellor, was able to boost Conservative election prospects with a ‘give away’ budget that provided the middle class with 134 million in tax cuts.

Question 5

Give a stat about british income.

Answer 5

Britain enjoyed a higher income per head than any other major country except for the USA.