labour's economic policy Flashcards
(15 cards)
1946
coal, civil aviation, wireless and the bank of england
1947
road, transport and electricity services
1948
gas
1949
iron and steel
end of the war Britain had financial problems
- debts of £1498 million
- balance of payment deficits £750 million
- exports of manufacturers had dropped by 60%
how much did the invisible exports shrink
£248 million (1938)- £120 million (1946)
overseas military commitments
quintupled between 1938- 46
defence costs
- cold war ally for the US increased the debt to £4.7 billion in defence
in 1947 what happened to Britain’s nuclear deterrent
britain was committed to develop its own nuclear deterrent
how much was Britain spending of the GDP on defence?
14%
main features of austerity
- continuation of rationing food and fuel
- right financial controls to prevent inflation
- controls of wages and salaries
- increased taxation and income goods
- restrictions on imports to keep spending to a minimum
main features of austerity
- continuation of rationing food and fuel
- right financial controls to prevent inflation
- controls of wages and salaries
- increased taxation and income goods
- restrictions on imports to keep spending to a minimum
devaluation
- loan of £600m from USA (britain had to pay for goods in dollars and dollar was stronger than pound)
1947-49 sterling crisis
foriegn markets withdrew their money
Atleean government
winter of discontent made things worse and this devalued the pound and humiliated britain
and weakened the govt.