Rising Living Standards

Question 1

What was society like in 1951

Answer 1

-still shaped by WW2 with widespread war damage
-regional + class loyalties strong — deferential + cornformist society
-1951 infrastructure rundown + needed modernisation
-desperate need housing development replace war damage + deal with decayed house stock — pre war slums cleared + new toms built e.g. Harlow
-established traditional communities broke up after slums cleared which intensified impact of private car ownership

Question 2

From 1952 why did the economic indicators go up

Answer 2

-men weekly wage rose from £8.30 1951 to £15.85 1961
-increases in private savings
-farmers encouraged by continuation generous state subsidies which increased production
-but those in council houses still outnumbered private homeowners 1950s