What Was The Impact of Total War and Post War Austerity, 1939-51? Flashcards
Rationing
Diet
Healthier diet, leveled out food consumption between classes
Price controls - wider variety of goods affordable
Rationing
Ministry of Food
Formed in 1940
5,000 administrators
Nearly all foodstuff allocated by ration cards
Attlee, chair of the Food Policy Committee authorised subsidised milk + heating fuel for mothers
Rationing
Choice/Luxuries
Allocated points - still choice
Alcohol and tobacco not rationed, but in short supply: pint of beer 3p to 7p by 1945
Rationing
Standard of Living
Many felt it fell, but health improved
One third, who were unable to afford food previously, found dramatic improvement
Infant mortality fell post-war
Working Conditions
Women
1939 - 14% employed women in chem, eng, transport
1945 - 33%
HIgher wages + senior positions
Working Conditions
Women Post-War
Expected to return to trad. roles
By 1950 - 86% employed women in nursing, teaching, factory work, waitressing
Recieved lower wages than men
Working Conditions
Improvements
Minister for Labour, Ernest Bevin made changes
Medical centres + canteens introduced
Creches established in factories (1st Nov 1941, end of 1942 over 657)
Working Conditions
Pay
Average pay increased, although spending restricted
Result of trade union action + negotiation
Strike by 100,000 Welsh miners (1944) led gov to increase pay in line with otehr workers (£5 a day to £6.10 a day)
Membership high - 6.5 mil to 8 mil (1939-1945)
Post War Austerity
Reasons for Instability
55% British food imported
Lacked foreign currency reserve
Post War Austerity
Rationing
Bread rationing 1946-1948
Daily Mail: ‘most hated measure’
Clothing rationed until 1949, along with wood + furniture
Post War Austerity
Overseas Committments
Committments in Germany and Greece - drained gov resources
Grew in 1950s, Korean War diverted funds, defence spending (23% of GDP in 1950)
Post War Housing
Destruction
40,000 people killed
2 million homes in towns + cities destroyed
Post War Housing
Legislative Response
Housing and Temporary Accomodation Act (1944) - Gov housing project, wooden pre-fabricated houses
Catford, South East London, Excalibur Estate (1945-46)
Post War Housing
Tower Blocks
In inner-city areas
1951 - first tower blocks in Harlow, Essex
+ housing estates inc houses, schools, shops, social clubs
Post War Housing
Creation of New Towns
New Towns Act (1946) - Fourteen new towns
Designed to relieve over-crowded working class districts
Followed recommendations of ‘Tudor-Walters Report’ (1918) - min size + number of rooms
Post War Housing
Council Housing
700,000 council houses built 1945-51
Still serious problems, 750,000 fewer houses than required by end of Labour administration in 1951
Post War Welfare
Labour Ideology
Centralised state planning essential
Welfare reforms - ‘welfare state’
Caring ‘from the cradle to the grave’
Post War Welfare
Family Allowances Act
1945
Non-means tested payment for Mothers of 5 shillings a week for each child after the 1st
Post War Welfare
National Insurance Act
1946
Unemployment and sickness benefits for all workers (26 shillings, 46 for married men weekly)
State pensions to men over 65, women over 60 (£1.20, £2.10 for married couple weekly)
Means test abolished
Post War Welfare
National Health Service
1948
Free access to doctors, dentists, opticians, and hospitals
Free at point of delivery, universality
3,100 hospitals, 360,000 staff
