The Labour Government (1945-1951) Flashcards
1
Q
The Beveridge Report
(1942)
A
- Created by William Beveridge, social economist
- In 1942, he created a report that would provide the blueprint for social policy in post-war Britain
- Wanted to battle the ‘Five Giants’: idleness, ignorance, squalor, want and disease
- ‘Cradle to grave’ social welfare programme
- Encouraged Atlee’s Labour government to implement this ideas
-Churchill refused the Beveridge Report which is the main reason as to why Labour won the election
2
Q
The Welfare State
A
- Created to look after the public from ‘cradle to grave’
- Wanted to improve health, education and social security
- All taxpayers contributed and everyone was covered by it
- Led to the NHS being set up in 1948
- Levels of benefits were standardised
- Numerous acts were passed, e.g. The National Insurance Act 1946 providing financial protection
- New Towns Act 1946: 12 new towns were created to prevent overcrowding
- Education Act 1944: free education up to the age of 15, all local authorities had to provide primary, secondary and further education
3
Q
The Post-War Consensus
A
- A post-war agreement by all political parties on nationalisation, strong trade unions, heavy regulations, high taxes and a generous welfare state
- Established based on Keynesian economics that were to last for 30 years
- This time was seen as a period of social stability
- Clause IV: common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange
4
Q
Atlee Labour Government’s
Achievements
A
- Created the Welfare State to look after citizens from ‘cradle to grave’
- Helped convince the USA of the need of the ‘Marshall Plan’ which helped Western European countries economy post-war
- Began decolonisation of the British Empire by granting India independence (1947)
- Initiated a new housing programme which created a million new homes
- Played a key role forming NATO
- Started a programme that turned Britain into a major nuclear power
- Established the Post-War Consensus that lasted for 30 years
