How Profound Were The Changes Introduced by the Labour Governments?

        Labour made less profound changes to education in Britain. Labour did increase the budget for education considerably, and the school leaving age was raised to 15. However no real debate on the aims and organisation of education really took place. So the changes made in education between 1945-51 suggest that the changes of the labour government were not that profound.

        However the national insurance act of 1946 was a hugely profound change made by the labour government.  The 1946 act meant that for those enrolled in the scheme, one weekly insurance payment over a working life provided cover against sickness, unemployment, and old age. The new rates of standard benefits were £1.60 for a single person and £2.40 for a married couple, the act limited unemployment benefits to thirty weeks. The act also immediately paid the old age pensioners the new rates, this was a profound change made by labour because this was more than double what the current pension was. Two further acts followed in 1948 by labour. Firstly the national assistance act provided a safety net for those who were not covered by the existing legislation, or whose benefits were inadequate. Secondly the industrial injuries act now made the state responsible for providing benefits arising from industrial injuries. These social changes made by the labour governments between 1945-51 were substantially profound because they provided the public with cover against illness, unemployment and old age. So for instance if somebody was to be fired at work then they would receive a payment to cover this or if an injury was to occur at work then the employee would also receive this payment. The social security programme introduced by labour was very influential because with out it then people may not be able to afford to cover themselves in a case of an emergency.

        The nationalisation of industries was also an influential change made by the labour government. In 1946 the Bank of England and civil Aviation was nationalised by the labour government and in the next three years coal, Cable and Wireless, Transport, electricity, Gas and Iron and steel followed these. Some of the industries that were nationalised by labour were not carried through very peacefully for instance the nationalisation of iron and steel. The proposal to nationalise this industries was strongly opposed by the conservatives and the steel masters. However the nationalisation of other industries such as coal was a positive change made by labour. This was because the takeover of coal meant that the employees would receive more money from the government then they would do with it being private with the employer being able to decide how much it pays them.

        In conclusion I believe that the changes made by the labour government where very profound. The introduction of the NHS was such a profound change because it tackled the problem of disease well because enabled all classes to receive medical treatment. However I feel that the changes the labour governments made towards education were not profound in anyway. This is because the only real significant change made by labour was the age of leaving school was raised to 15. Although the introduction of national insurance was a huge change made by labour because it provided a safety net for the working class. It’s the work done by labour on Health and National insurance that shows that the changes they made were profound and benefited the British people.