Labour government, 1974–1979#Wilson ministry
{{Short description|Government of the United Kingdom from 1974 to 1979}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{multiple image
| total_width = 300
| image1 = Harold Wilson.jpg
| caption1 = Harold Wilson led the Government from 1974 to 1976, and was succeeded by James Callaghan.
| image2 = James Callaghan ppmsca.53218 (cropped).tif
| caption2 = Callaghan led the Government from 1976 onward. He was defeated at the 1979 general election.
}}
The Labour Party governed the United Kingdom from 1974 to 1979. During this period, Harold Wilson and James Callaghan were successively appointed as Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth II. The end of the Callaghan ministry was presaged by the Winter of Discontent, a period of serious industrial discontent. This was followed by the election of Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher in 1979.
The government consisted of three ministries: the third and fourth Wilson ministry, and then the Callaghan ministry.
__TOC__
{{clear right}}
History
{{Harold Wilson sidebar}}
{{James Callaghan sidebar}}
=Formation=
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2019}}
Following the February 1974 general election, no party had a majority of seats. The incumbent Conservative Party won the popular vote, but Labour took a plurality of seats.{{Cite web |date=2014-02-28 |title=Hung Parliament – February 1974 – History of government |url=https://history.blog.gov.uk/2014/02/28/hung-parliament-february-1974/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=history.blog.gov.uk |language=en}} Edward Heath, the Conservative Prime Minister, attempted to negotiate a coalition agreement with the Liberal Party, but resigned as prime minister after failing to do so.{{Cite news |last=Beckett |first=Andy |date=2010-03-25 |title=Britain's last hung parliament |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/mar/25/britain-hung-parliament-1974 |access-date=2025-02-20 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, then established a minority government, which took office on 4 March 1974.
It was recognised that this had no long-term stability, and that another general election was likely within a few months. On 20 September Wilson called another snap election for 10 October, which resulted in a narrow victory for the Labour Party with a slim majority of three seats.
The economy was in recession by the time of the February 1974 election, but economic growth was re-established by 1976—although inflation, which had run into double digits before Labour came to power, was now above 20%. It would remain high for the rest of this ministry, rarely falling below 10%.{{Cite news |date=2001-02-13 |title=Back when money was worth something |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1168149.stm |access-date=2025-02-21 |language=en-GB}} Unemployment was now well in excess of 1,000,000 people, whereas it had been less than 600,000 at the start of the decade.{{Cite web |title=Unemployed Persons (Hansard, 16 March 1976) |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1976/mar/16/unemployed-persons |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=api.parliament.uk}} This was the result of the economic decline, as well as advancing engineering techniques which required fewer personnel, along with other factors including the closure of unprofitable factories and coalmines.
On 16 March 1976, having just turned sixty years old, Wilson resigned as prime minister, ending his leadership of the Labour Party after thirteen years, and a total of nearly eight years as prime minister.{{Cite web |title=History of Harold Wilson - GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/history/past-prime-ministers/harold-wilson |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.gov.uk |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=1976-03-16 |title=1976: Prime Minister Harold Wilson resigns |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/16/newsid_2524000/2524099.stm |access-date=2025-02-21 |language=en-GB}} He was replaced by James Callaghan, who had held senior government positions during both of Wilson's ministries, and had served as a Shadow Cabinet member in the early 1960s.{{Cite web |title=BBC - History - James Callaghan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/callaghan_james.shtml |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}
In 1976, Britain faced financial crisis. The Labour government was forced to apply to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan of nearly $4 billion. IMF negotiators insisted on deep cuts in public expenditure, greatly affecting economic and social policy.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-03 |title=Mini-budget: lessons from the UK's long history of economic crises {{!}} City, University of London |url=https://www.city.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2022/10/mini-budget-lessons-from-the-uks-long-history-of-economic-crises#:~:text=The%201976%20IMF%20crisis&text=It%20was%20a%20pivotal%20moment,government%20deficit,%20and%20rising%20unemployment. |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.city.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}
Within a year of Callaghan taking office, the narrow Labour majority was eliminated due to by-election defeats, prompting a vote of confidence which prevented the government's collapse and a general election from being called. In order to sustain the government, Labour formed the Lib–Lab pact in March 1977 and this remained in force for sixteen months. This minority government also managed to stay in power with unofficial deals with the Ulster Unionist Party and Scottish National Party.
By September 1978, economic growth was firmly re-established and inflation was below 10%, although unemployment now stood at a post-war high of 1.5 million. With most of the opinion polls showing a clear Labour lead, it was widely expected that Callaghan would call a general election that autumn, despite having another year to do so, in order to gain a majority and give his government the chance of surviving in office until 1983.{{Cite news |last1=Travis |first1=Alan |last2=editor |first2=home affairs |date=2008-12-30 |title=I'll fix it, Callaghan wrote – then came the winter of discontent |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/dec/30/archives-callaghan-labour-memo-1978 |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
However, he resisted these calls and Britain began 1979 with Labour still in power and Callaghan still in charge, but his failure to call a general election during the autumn of 1978 would prove to be the end of this Labour government.
=Major contributions=
{{cleanup press release|section|date=April 2024}}
{{excessive examples|section|date=April 2024}}
Although the 1974–1979 Labour Government faced a number of economic difficulties, it was nevertheless able to carry out a broad range of reforms during its time in office. During Harold Wilson's final premiership, from 1974 to 1976, a number of changes were carried out such as the introduction of new social security benefits and improvements in the rights of tenants. In March 1974, an additional £2 billion was announced for benefits, food subsidies, and housing subsidies, including a record 25% increase in the state pension. Council house rents were also frozen. Council house building continued on a substantial scale, although there was now a greater emphasis on modernising older properties rather than replacing them with new ones.
That year, national insurance benefits were increased by 13%, which brought pensions as a proportion of average earnings "up to a value equivalent to the previous high, which was reached in 1965 as a result of Labour legislation." In order to maintain the real value of these benefits in the long term, the government introduced legislation which linked future increases in pensions to higher incomes or wages.Taxation, Wage Bargaining, and Unemployment by Isabela Mares In 1974–1975, social spending was increased in real terms by 9%. In 1974, pensions were increased in real terms by 14%, while in early 1975 increases were made in family allowances. There were also significant increases in rate and rent subsidies, together with £500 million worth of food subsidies.Socialists in the Recession: The Search for Solidarity, Giles Radice and Lisanne Radice
An independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (now simply called Acas) (regarded as the brainchild of the trade union leader Jack Jones) was established, which according to Robert Taylor continues to provide "an impartial and impressive function in resolving disputes and encouraging good industrial relations practice."{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} A Manpower Services Commission was set up to encourage a more active labour market policy to improve job placements and deal with unemployment. The Pay Board was abolished, while the Price Commission was provided with greater powers to control and delay price increases. In addition, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 prohibited employers from discriminating against ex-offenders where offences were minor and committed a long time ago, and the Housing Rents and Subsidies Act 1975 gave power over rents back to local authorities.New Labour, Old Labour: The Wilson and Callaghan Governments, 1974–79 edited by Anthony Seldon and Kevin Hickson
To help those with disabilities, the government introduced an Invalid Care Allowance, a Mobility Allowance, a Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension for those unable to contribute through national insurance, and other measures. To combat child poverty, legislation to create a universal Child Benefit was passed in 1975 (a reform later implemented by the Callaghan government).{{Cite news |date=2010-10-04 |title=Q&A: Child benefit changes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11465116 |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} To raise the living standards of those dependent on national insurance benefits, the government index-linked short-term benefits to the rate of inflation, while pensions and long-term benefits were tied to increases in prices or earnings, whichever was higher.Labour in power? A study of the Labour Government 1974–1979, David Coates
In 1975, a State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) was introduced. A new pension, which was inflation-proofed and linked to earnings, was added to the basic pension which was to increase in line with earnings for the first time ever. This reform assisted women by linking pensions to the 'twenty best years' of earnings, and those who worked at home caring for children or others were counted as contributors. This scheme was reformed by the subsequent Thatcher ministry. The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 gave women the right in principle to equal access to jobs and equal treatment at work with men, while the Employment Protection Act 1975 introduced Statutory Maternity Leave.Labour's First Century by Duncan Tanner, Pat Thane, and Nick Tiratsoo That same year, the wage stop was finally abolished.Poverty and the development of anti-poverty policy in the United Kingdom: a report to the Commission of the European Communities, Richard Berthoud, Joan C. Brown and Steven Cooper, Commission of the European Communities, Policy Studies Institute In addition, differentials between skilled and unskilled workers were narrowed as a result of egalitarian pay policies involving flat-rate increases.
The Social Security Pensions Act 1975 provided for equal access by men and women to employers' pension schemes and also included a home responsibilities provision ensuring that parents and those looking after elderly dependents could retain their pension rights in spite of employment breaks. As a means of combating sex discrimination within the social security system, the Act provided that in future married women would receive the same level of personal sickness or unemployment benefit.Labour and Inequality: A Fabian Study of Labour in Power, 1974–79, edited by Nick Bosanquet and Peter Townsend The Housing Finance Act 1974 increased aid to local authorities for slum clearance, introduced a system of "fair rents" in public and private sector unfurnished accommodation, and introduced rent rebates for council tenants. The Housing Act 1974 improved the Renovation Grants scheme, provided increased levels of aid to housing associations (which emerged as a popular alternative to council housing for people seeking to rent a home), and extended the role of the Housing Corporation. The Rent Act 1974 extended security of tenure to tenants of furnished properties, and allowed access to rent tribunals. The Community Land Act 1975 allowed for the taking into public control of development land, while the Child Benefits Act 1975 introduced an extra payment for single parents.The Longman Companion to The Labour Party 1900–1998, Harry Harmer A Resource Allocation Working Party was also set up to produce a formula for a more equitable distribution of healthcare expenditure.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5tuIo6tkqAwC&q=Resources+Allocation+Working+Party+%28RAWP%29+formula+1978&pg=PA46 |title=New Labour in Power: Precedents and Prospects – Google Books |access-date=10 April 2014 |isbn=9780415179737 |year=1997 |last1=Brivati |first1=Brian |last2=Bale |first2=Tim|publisher=Routledge }} Anthony Crosland, while serving as a minister during Wilson's second ministry, made a decision to reform the level of Rate Support Grant, introducing a standard level of relief across the country to benefit poorer urban areas.
The Damages (Scotland) Act of 1976 “amended the law relating to damages in respect of personal injuries and of death caused by such injuries, and abolished the action of indemnification.” The Education Act of 1976 also repealed part of the Education (Milk) Act 1971 “whereby local authorities were to charge for school milk.”Social Trends 9, 1979 Edition, A publication of the Government Statistical Service, P.220 The Bail Act of 1976 “created a presumption in favour of the grant of bail in criminal proceedings, required courts to give reasons when refusing bail, replaced the system of personal recognisances for defendants by a new offence of absconding while on bail, required that a person who is remanded in custody more than once should have the opportunity of obtaining legal aid, and effected certain improvements to the surety system.” The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act of 1976 barred discrimination in employment in Northern Ireland on the grounds of religion and politics, and also established the Fair Employment Agency for Northern Ireland to promote equal job opportunity.
The Supplementary Benefit (Amendment) Act of 1976 amended the amount of earnings and other income of the parent in a one-parent family to be disregarded in calculating resources for comparison with requirements, and also amended certain social security and other allowances for children.Social Trends 9, 1979 Edition, A publication of the Government Statistical Service, P.221 In August 1977 a new rule was made (Statutory Instrument No 1037/1977 dated the 18th of June 1977) “under Section 23 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, restricting the circumstances in which a court may remand a person aged under 17 to a Prison Department establishment in England and Wales.”Social Trends 1977 P.130 The Industrial Common Ownership Act of 1976 gave the Secretary of State the power to “give up to £30,000 in grants and up to £250,000 in loans to common ownership enterprises, that is those bodies without share-capital and controlled by a majority of their workers.” The Rent (Agriculture) Act of 1976 gave security of tenure to certain agricultural workers, ex-workers and their successors living in housing provided by farmers, and also laid duty on housing authorities to rehouse occupiers of ‘tied cottages’ when dwellings are needed to house incoming workers.Social Trends 9, 1979 Edition, A publication of the Government Statistical Service, P.222
The Legal Aid Act of 1974 raised the upper disposable income limit for eligibility for civil legal aid.Social Trends No. 7, 1976, A publication of the Government Statistical Service, P.224 In June 1975, the government issued the first series of National Savings Retirement Certificates.Transactions of the Faculty of Actuaries Volume 38 By Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland, 1982, P.82 The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 “made it an offence unlawfully to evict (or to attempt to do so) any resident occupant, or to enforce the right to repossession other than through the courts. It laid down restrictions on the validity of notices to quit.” The Rent Act 1977, which applied to England and Wales, “laid down the means of fixing rents for controlled or regulated tenancies, and also for tenancies of housing associations or housing trusts.”Social Trends 9, 1979 Edition, A publication of the Government Statistical Service, P.224 In October 1974, “Intermediate Treatment” (which included recreational, educational, or cultural activities to which children and young persons are directed in a Supervision Order) became available to juvenile courts in all areas of England and Wales. That same month, the “10 Christmas bonus “was extended to include widows, the chronically sick, and the disabled, where these people were already receiving social security benefits.”Social Trends No. 7, 1976, A publication of the Government Statistical Service, P.227 In February 1975 the Supplementary Benefits Commission “introduced certain changes in the payment of rents in line with the recommendations of the Finer Report on One-Parent Families.”Social Trends No. 7, 1976, A publication of the Government Statistical Service, P.228
Circular 4/74 (1974) renewed pressure for moves towards comprehensive education (progress of which had stalled under the Heath ministry), while the industrial relations legislation passed under Edward Heath was repealed. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 set up a Health and Safety Commission and Executive and a legal framework for health and safety at work. The Employment Protection Act 1975 set up the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Services (ACAS) to arbitrate in industrial disputes, enlarged the rights of employees and trade unions, extended the redundancy payments scheme, and provided redress against unfair dismissal. The legislation also provided for paid maternity leave and outlawed dismissal for pregnancy. The Act also obliged employers to pay their workers a minimum guaranteed payment "if they are laid off through no fault of their own." The Social Security Act 1975 introduced a maternity allowance fund, while the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 set up an Equal Opportunities Commission and outlawed gender discrimination (both indirect and direct). In addition, the Social Security Act of 1975 included progressive noise-induced hearing loss "in the list of prescribed diseases covered by the Industrial Injuries Scheme as Occupational Deafness."{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pg5gUG5CYI8C&q=The%2520National%2520Insurance%2520%28Industrial%2520Injuries%29%2520Act%2520%281965%29%2520had%2520established%2520the%2520principle%2520of%2520payment%2520of%2520industrial%2520injury&pg=PA860 |title=Occupational Hearing Loss, Third Edition |last1=Sataloff |first1=Robert Thayer |last2=Sataloff |first2=Joseph |date=2006-04-24 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=9781420015478}}
The Woodworking Machines Regulations 1974, replacing the 1922 Regulations, came into operation on in November 1974. These regulations raised the standard of guarding of the most dangerous machines.{{cite book |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/9842/1/9842.pdf |title=Report on the Development of the Social Situation in the Community in 1974: Addendum to the 'Eighth General Report on the Activities of the European Communities' in accordance with Article 122 of the EEC Treaty |last=Commission of the European Communities |year=1975 |location=Brussels / Luxembourg }} Improvements were made to mineworkers' pensions, while the Coal Mines (Respirable Dust) Regulations 1975, which came into operation in October that year, were aimed at reducing the incidence of coal miners's pneumoconiosis. They prescribed permitted amounts of respirable dust at workplaces in coal mines as well as arrangements for the suppression and continuous sampling of dust, and they include a scheme for the medical supervision of workers at risk. The Protection of Eyes Regulations 1974 and 1975, replacing the 1938 Regulations, extended protection to those employed on construction sites as well as in factories.{{cite book |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/10250/1/10250.pdf |title=Report on the Development of the Social Situation in the Communities in 1975: Published in conjunction with the 'Ninth General Report on the Activities of the European Communities' in accordance with Article 122 of the EEC Treaty |last=Commission of the European Communities |year=1976 |location=Brussels / Luxembourg }} In addition, the Policyholders Protection Act 1975 introduced safeguards for customers of failed insurance companies.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=crkIxzMeaj4C&q=UK+Policyholders+Protection+Act+1975&pg=PA69 |title=Financial Enterprise Risk Management – Paul Sweeting – Google Books |date=2011-09-01 |access-date=6 August 2014 |isbn=9781139501743 |last1=Sweeting |first1=Paul|publisher=Cambridge University Press }}
Wilson's successor Callaghan, together with his ministers, also introduced a number of reforms during their time in office. The Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 gave every person over the age of sixteen, whose resources were not enough to meet his or her basic needs, the right to claim a supplementary pension if he or she had reached state pension age, and a supplementary allowance if he or she was less than this age.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fPcEfxQvpD4C&q=Pensioners%27%2520Payments%2520and%2520Social%2520Security%2520Act%252C%25201979&pg=PA16 |title=Pension Schemes and Pension Funds in the United Kingdom |last=Blake |first=David |date=2003-01-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199243532}}{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/71/introduction |title=Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk |access-date=29 December 2014}} The Rent (Agricultural) Act 1976 provided security of tenure for agricultural workers in tied accommodation, while the Bail Act 1976 reformed bail conditions with courts having to explain refusal of bail. The Police Act 1976 set up a Police Complaints Board "to formalise the procedure for dealing with public complaints". The Education Act 1976 limited the taking up of independent and direct grant school places and required all local authorities who had failed to do so "to submit proposals for comprehensive schools", while the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 extended local council responsibility "to provide accommodation for homeless people in their area," and instituted the right of homeless families to a permanent local council tenancy.British Social Welfare in the Twentieth Century, edited by Robert M. Page and Richard Silburn In addition, efforts were made under the Environment Secretary Peter Shore to redistribute resources toward deprived urban areas.Prime Minister: The Conduct of Policy under Harold Wilson & James Callaghan by Bernard Donoughue The Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 allowed local authorities to assist declining industrial areas and central government provided new subsidies to those inner city areas with the most problems, while the 1978 Finance Act introduced profit-sharing schemes.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y4PjVdUHNQYC&q=1978+finance+Act+introduced+profit+sharing+schemes&pg=PA112 |title=Seeking a Premier Economy |access-date=29 December 2014 |isbn=9780226092904 |date=2007-12-01 |last1=Card |first1=David |last2=Blundell |first2=Richard |last3=Freeman |first3=Richard B.|publisher=University of Chicago Press }} In April 1976, a Child Interim Benefit for single-parent families was introduced,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J1iKAgAAQBAJ&q=united%2520kingdom%2520child%2520interim%2520benefit%25201976&pg=PA109 |title=British Government: A Reader in Policy Making |last=James |first=Simon |date=2002-03-11 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781134829828}} followed by a universal Child Benefit scheme the following year.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1978/jun/13/benefits#S5CV0951P0_19780613_CWA_37 |title=Benefits |website=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=13 June 1978 |access-date=2016-09-20}} On the 3rd of April 1979 the number of hours that lone parents had to work to qualify for Family Income Supplement was reduced from 30 to 24 per week.Supplementary Benefits Commission Annual Report 1978 P.35
The Callaghan Government also introduced a range of measures aimed at moderating pressures for wage rises and to create a favourable climate "for an orderly restoration of collective bargaining". These included the granting of family income supplements to bring the incomes of lower-paid workers up to the level of social security benefits, the lowering of marginal tax rates on smaller incomes by rises in personal allowances, and increases in children's allowances (which were payable to the mother). However, child tax allowances were lowered, which had the effect of reducing the take-home pay of fathers. The impact of consumer price rises was also mitigated by higher income limits for free school meals, an increased milk subsidy, and a substantial reduction in the duty on petrol. In addition, electricity prices were lowered for families in receipt of supplementary benefits.{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/wagedeterminatio0000brau |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/wagedeterminatio0000brau/page/221 221] |quote=united%20kingdom%201978%20rise%20income%20limit%20school%20meals%20Wage%20Determination%20and%20Incomes%20Policy%20in%20Open%20Economies%20(EPub). |title=Wage Determination and Incomes Policy in Open Economies |last=Braun |first=Ms Anne Romanis |date=1986-09-15 |publisher=International Monetary Fund |isbn=9781455257836}}
The government came under fire from the British public in November 1977, when the Fire Brigades Union called its first national strike, in response to the government's refusal to grant firefighters a 30% pay rise. The strike lasted until after Christmas, and for its duration, Britain's fire services were operated by hastily trained army troops, whose Green Goddess vehicles dated from the 1950s and were considerably slower than the fire engines of the 1970s, and the troops lacked the breathing equipment available to fire brigades.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393307.stm |title=BBC NEWS {{!}} UK {{!}} UK Politics {{!}} The Basics {{!}} past_elections {{!}} 1974 Oct: Wilson makes it four |website=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=2016-09-20 |date=2005-04-05}} Well over 100 people died in fires during the strike, with the worst tragedy occurring in Wednesbury, where four children died in a house fire.{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JRdSAAAAIBAJ&pg=3568,5242345&dq=wednesbury&hl=en |title=Times-Union – Google News Archive Search |website=news.google.com |access-date=2016-09-20}}
The Training Opportunities Scheme, under which more than 90,000 people completed their training in 1976 and which catered mainly for people over 19 years old, was extended during 1977 to include provisions for training persons for self-employment. In addition, technician training was extended and the network of skillcentres continued to expand. In August 1977, a scheme for voluntary early retirement was introduced in the coal industry for men aged 62+ with at least twenty years of underground service, with weekly payments up to normal pensionable age. In January 1977, unions became authorized to lodge a claim on behalf of workers with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service for an improvement in terms and conditions of employment on the grounds that existing terms and conditions were less favourable than the relevant recognized terms and conditions for the trade in the area or, where these did not exist, the general level. In February, sections of the Employment Act 1975 were brought into operation dealing with the qualifying hours for part-time work, thereby entitling large numbers of part-time workers to the same rights and job security as full-time workers. Also in February, employees became entitled to receive guarantee payments from their employers when laid off or on short time, while in April sections of the 1975 Employment Act were activated giving employees the right to paid time off work in order to perform certain public duties. The main provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 came into force in June 1977, making it unlawful for an employer to discriminate in recruitment or dismissal or in the treatment of existing employees in matters of promotion, transfer, training or other benefits on the grounds of nationality, race, colour, colour, or ethnic or national origins. A Commission for Racial Equality was established to work towards the elimination of discrimination the promotion of equality of opportunity, and good relations between persons of different racial groups.{{cite web |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/10246/1/10246.pdf |title=Report on the Development of the Social Situation in the Communities in 1977 |publisher=Aei.pitt.edu |access-date=29 December 2014}}
In Scotland, the Community Service by Offenders Act 1978 introduced provisions whereby offenders might, under certain circumstances, be ordered by courts to undertake community work as an alternative to a prison sentence. This legislation brought Scotland in line with England and Wales where similar provisions already apply. The Mines (Precautions Against Inrushes) Regulations 1979 applied to all types of mines and made provision for measures to be taken against the hazard of inrushes of water or gas or material which flows when wet.{{cite web |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/9816/1/9816.pdf|title=Report on Social Developments Year 1979 |publisher=Aei.pitt.edu |access-date=29 December 2014}}
In housing policy, a shift of emphasis in housing policy towards rehabilitation was evident in the further increase in the number of General Improvement Areas and the number of Housing Action Areas declared. An Act of March 1977 makes provision, for a limited period, for benefits to be paid from the age of 64 to workers who agree to retire in order to free jobs for young unemployed people, in response to the rise of youth unemployment. A number of other improvements were introduced in 1977, with Attendance Allowances extended to cover disabled foster children and non-contributory disablement pensions extended to married women whose invalidity prevented them from carrying out their household tasks. In January 1977, regulations were issued which brought about a change in the administration of legislation governing fire precautions at places of work. Under these regulations the Health and Safety Executive retained full responsibility for fire safety in certain 'special' premises such as nuclear installations, coalmines and chemical plants, whereas responsibility for general fire precautions at places of work was transferred to local fire authorities.
A number of new services and benefits for disabled people were also introduced. A Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension in lieu of ‘pocket money’ allowance for long-stay patients in mental hospitals was introduced. The therapeutic earnings limit for recipients of Invalidity Pension, Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension and Unemployability Supplement was raised while the Private Car Maintenance Allowance for War Pensioners was increased. From the 29th of August 1977, Attendance Allowance became payable to foster parents of disabled children, and was also extended to kidney patients dialysing at home. Industrial injury provisions for occupational deafness were introduced, and viral hepatitis and Vinyl Chloride Monomer induced diseases were prescribed as industrial diseases. Easing of conditions for entitlement to industrial death benefit in certain cases of death from pulmonary disease was carried out. £12.1 million was paid to the Rowntree Trust Family Fund for disabled children, while the terms of reference of the Rowntree Trust Family Fund were extended to include all severely disabled children.Final Term: The Labour Government 1974–1976 by Harold Wilson, P.245 Limited right of appeal on diagnosis of pneumoconiosis was also introduced.Final Term: The Labour Government 1974–1976 by Harold Wilson, P.245-246 Audiology services were developed, Hearing Therapists were introduced, and the Blind Person’s tax allowance was increased.Final Term: The Labour Government 1974–1976 by Harold Wilson, P.246
Improvements were made to the wheel-chair service, while further parking concessions were made for all ‘Orange Badge’ holders. In addition, the ‘Orange Badge’ scheme was extended to include the blind, and concessions to ‘Orange Badge’ holders at most tolled crossings were introduced. The petrol allowance was also restored and doubled for drivers of government-supplied invalid vehicles. Another measure was the extension of exemption from Road Tax (vehicle excise duty) to Mobility Allowance beneficiaries or their nominees.Final Term: The Labour Government 1974–1976 by Harold Wilson, P.247 Concessionary fares for disabled people were introduced, along with a discretionary allowance of up to £160 to disabled students whose disability led to additional expenses in connection with their studies. Improved provision for the needs of disabled people in educational establishments was carried out, and a scheme of grants was made to employers “towards the cost of adaptations to premises or equipment made to enable disabled individuals to obtain, or retain, employment.” The 4th of July 1977 saw the inception of an experimental Job Introduction Scheme “to provide financial assistance enabling certain disabled people to undertake a trial period of employment with an employer, where there is reasonable doubt as to the person’s ability to perform a particular job.” On the 5th of July 1978 a revised and simplified scheme designed to help severely disabled people with their travel-to-work costs was introduced. Increased allowances were paid to people going on employment rehabilitation courses, while under the MSC Special Programme for young people additional opportunities were provided at Employment Rehabilitation Centres for disabled young people.Final Term: The Labour Government 1974–1976 by Harold Wilson, P.248 A Release for Training (RFT) scheme was introduced for disabled people already in employment “but experiencing problems which can only be resolved by a period of intensive training.”Final Term: The Labour Government 1974–1976 by Harold Wilson, P.249 District Handicap Teams were set up, the War Pensioners’ visiting scheme was extended, and zero rating of VAT was introduced “on aids and appliances for disabled people and also on medical equipment for donation to a hospital for the purpose of treatment or research.” New arrangements were introduced for dental treatment of disabled patients, and special concessionary TV license arrangements were extended for people in old people’s homes.Final Term: The Labour Government 1974–1976 by Harold Wilson, P.250
The Safety Representatives and Committees Regulations of 1977 made provision for recognised trade unions to appoint health and safety representatives "and gave such representatives rights to representation and consultation on health and safety as well as rights to access to training and facilities to support them in undertaking these tasks."{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z9H6V6O4q4C&q=united%2520kingdom%2520Safety%2520Representative%2520and%2520Safety%2520Committee%2520regulations%25201978&pg=PT30 |title=Health and Safety at Work and Its Relevance to Employment Relations Research |date=2006-01-01 |publisher=Emerald Group Publishing |isbn=9781845449902}} The Homes Insulation Act 1978 provided for grants to occupiers towards the cost of thermal insulation of their dwellings, while under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations recognized trade unions were allowed to appoint safety representatives who would have certain rights and functions. As part of an extension in external consultation on the prevention of industrial accidents and occupationally induced diseases the Health and Safety Commission established three Industry Advisory Committees for construction, railways and oil and regulations were issued in March 1978 dealing with the packaging and labelling of some 800 dangerous chemicals commonly used at work and in the home. Improvements to the Mineworkers Sick Pay Scheme were also introduced from 1978, with improvement in the formula for calculating benefit improved and the period of 'waiting days' reduced from seven to three.{{cite web |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/10248/1/10248.pdf |title=Report on the Development of the Social Situation in the European Community I in 1978 |publisher=Aei.pitt.edu |access-date=29 December 2014}} The Home Purchase Assistance and Housing Corporation Guarantee Act 1978 gave help to first-time home buyers.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F16VaIYewIEC&q=United+kingdom+rent+control+of+increases+act+1969&pg=PA376 |title=Growth to Limits |access-date=29 December 2014 |isbn=9783110111330 |year=1986 |last1=Flora |first1=Peter|publisher=Walter de Gruyter }} The Consumer Safety Act 1978 protected consumers from purchasing potentially harmful goods,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pMnFocHqrpAC&q=UK%2520Consumer%2520Safety%2520Act%25201978&pg=PT113 |title=Teacher Support Pack Edexcel |last=Barrett |first=Richard |date=2003-03-11 |publisher=Nelson Thornes |isbn=9780748757466}} while the 1979 Credit Unions Act, the last piece of legislation passed by the Labour government,{{cite web |url=http://www.abcul.org/credit-unions/history-world-facts |title=The history of credit unions |publisher=Abcul.org |access-date=29 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229161126/http://www.abcul.org/credit-unions/history-world-facts |archive-date=29 December 2014 |url-status=dead}} set up a legal structure for credit unions.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SO37-3HHl6gC&q=UK+credit+union+act+1979&pg=PA24 |title=Social enterprise |access-date=29 December 2014 |isbn=9781905979011 |year=2009 |last1=Price |first1=Martin|publisher=Fflan }}
=Fate=
{{further|James Callaghan#Historiography}}
The union strikes affected Britain during the Winter of Discontent (1978–1979) as public services ground to a halt. Furthermore, inflation was back in double digits. The House of Commons passed a vote of no confidence in late March 1979, by one vote. That vote necessitated a general election, which the Conservatives won decisively even though polls showed Callaghan was personally more popular with the voters than Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher.{{Cite web |title=BBC Politics 97 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/background/pastelec/ge79.shtml |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}} The problem was that many Labour voters swung away from Labour.David Butler and Dennis Kavanagh, The British General Election of 1979 (1980)
Callaghan continued to lead Labour in opposition for eighteen months; his friendliest biographers take a negative view of the period. He stepped down to make way for Michael Foot, the leader of the leftist faction. Callaghan remained in parliament as an MP until 1987, having served in parliament for 42 years.
Historians Alan Sked and Chris Cook have summarized the views of some historians regarding Labour in power in 1974–1979:David Loades, ed., Reader's Guide to British History (2003) 1:213-15.
If Wilson's record as Prime Minister was soon felt to have been one of failure, that sense of failure was powerfully reinforced by Callaghan's term as premier. Labour, it seemed, was incapable of positive achievements. It was unable to control inflation, unable to control the unions, unable to solve the Irish problem, unable to solve the Rhodesian question, unable to secure its proposals for Welsh and Scottish devolution, unable to reach a popular modus vivendi with the Common Market, unable even to maintain itself in power until it could go to the country and the date of its own choosing. It was little wonder, therefore, that Mrs. Thatcher resoundingly defeated it in 1979.Alan Sked and Chris Cook, Post-War Britain: A Political History (4th ed. 1993), p. 324.
Historian Kenneth O. Morgan states:
{{blockquote|The fall of James Callaghan in the summer of 1979 meant, according to most commentators across the political spectrum, the end of an ancien régime, a system of corporatism, Keynesian spending programmes, subsidised welfare, and trade union power.{{cite book |author=Kenneth O. Morgan |title=Britain Since 1945: The People's Peace |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tKwGaWWKzNAC&pg=PA437 |year=2001 |page=437 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=9780191587993}}}}
However, Alan Bailey in his 2013 article for the Institute for Public Policy Research Progressive Policy Think Tank entitled: "Not all 'the bad old days': Revisiting Labour's 1970s industrial strategy" gives an alternative reading.
The 'industrial strategy' of the 1974-79 Labour government has had a bad press. It is remembered, if at all, as a failed combination of left-wing Bennite extremism (planning agreements) and 'picking winners' (British Leyland). However, this caricature is unfair and misleading, and there are still lessons to be learned.Alan Bailey, Not all 'the bad old days': Revisiting Labour's 1970s industrial strategy, https://www.ippr.org/juncture/not-all-the-bad-old-days-revisiting-labours-1970s-industrial-strategy
Cabinets
=Wilson ministry=
{{Infobox government cabinet
|cabinet_name = Wilson ministries
|incumbent = {{Hlist
| March – October 1974
}}
|image = Harold Wilson 1975.jpg
|caption = Wilson in 1975
|date_formed = {{unbulleted list
| Third: {{Start date|1974|3|4|df=y}}
| Fourth: {{Start date|1974|10|10|df=y}}
}}
|date_dissolved = {{unbulleted list
| Third: {{End date|1974|10|10|df=y}}
| Fourth: {{End date|1976|4|5|df=y}}
}}
|government_head_title = Prime Minister
|government_head = Harold Wilson
|government_head_history = 1974–1976
|deputy_government_head = {{refn|Edward Short never acquired the title of Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He did however serve as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.|group=note}}
|state_head_title = Monarch
|state_head = Elizabeth II
|former_members_number =
|total_number =
|political_party = {{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Labour Party
|legislature_status = {{unbulleted list
| {{Longitem|Minority {{Composition bar|301|635|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|background-color=|border border-color=darkgray|width=|per=1}}(1974)
dependent on Liberal support}}
| Majority {{Composition bar|319|635|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|background-color=|border border-color=darkgray|width=|per=1}} (1974–1976)
}}
|opposition_cabinet = {{unbulleted list
}}
|opposition_party = {{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Conservative Party
|opposition_leader = {{unbulleted list
| Edward Heath (1974–1975)
| Margaret Thatcher (1975–1976)
}}
|election = {{unbulleted list
| February 1974 general election
| October 1974 general election
}}
|legislature_term = {{unbulleted list
}}
|budget =
|incoming_formation =
|outgoing_formation =
|previous = Heath ministry
|successor = Callaghan ministry
|flag=Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government) (St Edwards Crown).svg
|flag_border=false
|jurisdiction=United Kingdom}}
| class=wikitable | ||
| Office||Name||Term | ||
|---|---|---|
| align="left"|Prime Minister First Lord of the Treasury Minister for the Civil Service | align="left"|Harold Wilson | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Chancellor of the Exchequer | align="left"|Denis Healey | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain | align="left"|Elwyn Jones, Baron Elwyn-Jones | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Leader of the House of Commons Lord President of the Council | align="left"|Edward Short | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Leader of the House of Lords Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal | align="left"|Malcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Foreign Secretary | align="left"|James Callaghan | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Home Secretary | align="left"|Roy Jenkins | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for Defence | align="left"|Roy Mason | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| rowspan="2" |Secretary of State for Education and Science | align="left"|Reg Prentice | align="left"|1974–1975 |
| align="left"|Fred Mulley | align="left"|1975–1976 | |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for Employment | align="left"|Michael Foot | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| rowspan="2" |Secretary of State for Energy | align="left"|Eric Varley | align="left"|1974–1975 |
| align="left"|Tony Benn | align="left"|1975–1976 | |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for the Environment | align="left"|Anthony Crosland | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for Social Services | align="left"|Barbara Castle | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| rowspan="2" |Secretary of State for Industry | align="left"|Tony Benn | align="left"|1974–1975 |
| align="left"|Eric Varley | align="left"|1975–1976 | |
| align="left"|Minister for Overseas Development | align="left"|Reg Prentice | align="left"|1975–1976 |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection | align="left"|Shirley Williams | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for Trade President of the Board of Trade | align="left"|Peter Shore | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for Scotland | align="left"|William Ross | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for Wales | align="left"|John Morris | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | align="left"|Merlyn Rees | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | align="left"|Harold Lever | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury | align="left"|Robert Mellish | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | align="left"|Fred Peart | align="left"|1974–1976 |
| align="left"|Minister for Planning and Local Government | align="left"|John Silkin | align="left"|1974–1976 |
=Callaghan ministry=
{{Redirect-distinguish-text|Cabinet of James Callaghan|the Shadow Cabinet of James Callaghan}}
{{Infobox government cabinet
|cabinet_name = Callaghan ministry
|image = James Callaghan (1977).jpg
|caption = Callaghan in 1977
|date_formed = {{Start date|1976|4|5|df=y}}
|date_dissolved = {{End date|1979|5|4|df=y}}
|government_head_title = Prime Minister
|government_head = James Callaghan
|government_head_history = 1976–1979
|deputy_government_head = {{refn|Neither Edward Short nor Michael Foot acquired the title of Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. They did however serve as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party respectively.|group=note}}
|state_head_title = Monarch
|state_head = Elizabeth II
|former_members_number =
|total_number =
|political_party = {{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Labour Party
|legislature_status = {{unbulleted list
| Majority (1976–1977) {{Composition bar|319|635|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|background-color=|border border-color=darkgray|width=|per=1}}
| {{Longitem|Minority (1977–1979){{Composition bar|306|635|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|background-color=|border border-color=darkgray|width=|per=1}} with Liberal confidence & supply}}
}}
|opposition_cabinet = Thatcher Shadow Cabinet
|opposition_party = {{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Conservative Party
|opposition_leader = Margaret Thatcher
|last_election = 1979 general election
|legislature_term = {{Longitem|47th UK Parliament
lost a vote of confidence}}
|budget = {{unbulleted list
| 1977 budget
}}
|previous = Third Wilson ministry
|successor = First Thatcher ministry
|flag=Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government) (St Edwards Crown).svg
|flag_border=false
|jurisdiction=United Kingdom}}
Full list of ministers
Members of the Cabinet are in bold face.
References
;Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
;Sources
{{reflist|30em}}
Further reading
{{refbegin|30em}}
- Bosanquet, Nick, and Peter Townsend, eds. Labour and Equality: A Fabian Study of Labour in Power, 1974–79 (Heinemann, 1980), 312pp.
- Butler, D., and G. Butler. Twentieth Century British Political Facts 1900–2000.
- Childs, David. Britain since 1945: A Political History (7th 2012), pp. 190–212.
- Conroy, Harry. James Callaghan (Haus, 2006).
- Dell, Edmund. The chancellors: a history of the chancellors of the Exchequer, 1945–90 (HarperCollins, 1997), pp. 400–48.
- Donoughue, Bernard. Prime Minister: Conduct of Policy Under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, 1974–79 (Jonathan Cape, 1987).
- Dorey, Peter. "'Should I stay or should I go?’: James Callaghan's decision not to call an autumn 1978 general election." British Politics (2016) 11#1 pp. 95–118. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057%2Fbp.2015.9 abstract]
- Harmon, Mark D. The British Labour government and the 1976 IMF crisis (St. Martin's Press, 1997).
- Hay, Colin. "Chronicles of a death foretold: The winter of discontent and construction of the crisis of British Keynesianism." Parliamentary Affairs (2010) 63#3 pp. 446–470.
- Hay, Colin. "The winter of discontent thirty years on." The Political Quarterly 80.4 (2009): 545–552.
- Hayter, Dianne. Fightback!: Labour's Traditional Right in the 1970s and 1980s (Manchester University Press, 2005).
- Heppell, Timothy. Choosing the Labour Leader: Labour Party Leadership Elections from Wilson to Brown (IB Tauris, 2010).
- Hickson, Kevin, and Anthony Seldon, eds. New Labour, Old Labour: The Wilson and Callaghan Governments 1974–1979 (Routledge, 2004).
- Holmes, Martin. The labour government, 1974–79: political aims and economic reality (Macmillan, 1985).
- Horn, Geoff. Crossing the floor: Reg Prentice and the crisis of British social democracy (Manchester University Press, 2013).
- Jones, Tudor. Remaking the Labour Party: From Gaitskell to Blair (Routledge, 2005).
- Kerr, Hugh. "Labour's Social Policy 1974–79." Critical Social Policy (1981) 1#1 pp. 5–17.
- Meredith, Stephen. Labours old and new: the parliamentary right of the British Labour Party 1970–79 and the roots of New Labour (Oxford University Press, 2008).
- Morgan, Kenneth O. Britain since 1945: The People's Peace (2nd ed. 2001), pp. 358–433.
- Morgan, Kenneth O. Callaghan: A Life (Oxford University Press, 1997).
- Pimlott, Ben. Harold Wilson (1992), the standard biography.
- Pryce, Sue. "James Callaghan 1976–9: A Caretaker." in Sue Pryce, Presidentializing the Premiership (Palgrave Macmillan, 1997), pp. 147–162.
- Rodgers, William. "Government Under Stress. Britain's Winter of Discontent 1979." Political Quarterly (1984) 55#2 pp. 171–179.
- Rogers, Chris. "From Social Contract to 'Social Contrick': The Depoliticisation of Economic Policy-Making under Harold Wilson, 1974–751." British Journal of Politics & International Relations (2009) 11#4 pp. 634–651. [http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/4276/1/WRAP_Rogers_100211-from_social_contract_to_social_contrick_bjpir_14-05-2009.pdf online]
- Rosen, Greg. Dictionary of Labour Biography (Politico's Publishing, 2001).
- Rosen, Greg. Old Labour to New (Politico's Publishing, 2005).
- Shepherd, John. Crisis? what crisis? : the Callaghan government and the British winter of discontent (Manchester University Press, 2013).
- Sked, Alan and Chris Cook. Post-War Britain: A Political History (4th ed. 1993), pp. 292–312
- Thomas, James. "'Bound in by history': The Winter of Discontent in British politics, 1979–2004." Media, Culture & Society 29#2 (2007): 263–283.
- Turner, Alwyn. Crisis? What Crisis?: Britain in the 1970s (2013), pp. 93–204.
- Wilson, Harold. Final term: the Labour government 1974–1976 (Weidenfeld & Nicolson / Michael Joseph Ltd., 1979).
- {{cite web |title=British Cabinet and Government Membership |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/table/york/Index.html |access-date=20 November 2007 |archive-date=16 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116113657/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/table/york/Index.html |url-status=dead }}
{{refend}}
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box|title=Government of the United Kingdom|years=1974–1979|before=Heath ministry|after=First Thatcher ministry}}
{{S-end}}
{{British ministries}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Labour government, 1974-1979}}
Category:1974 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:1979 disestablishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Ministries of Elizabeth II
Category:Cabinets established in 1974
Category:Cabinets disestablished in 1979