Record of the Coalition Government

The Record of the Coalition Government

Social Reform

• Nature
  • LG had promised "a country fit for heroes to live in" which meant high expectations following his wartime success
  • However, radical politics could not be introduced due to
    • Economic problems
    • Foreign problems
    • Conservative coalition against radical social policies
• Action
  • Representation of the People Act, 1918
  • Education Act 1918 - raised school leaving age - 12 to 14 - and ended school fees for primary education
  • Addison housing Act, 1919 - gave money to local authorities to build council houses
  • Tax money used to pay- the scheme was highly unpopular
  • 200,000 houses built despite demand for many more
  • LG did nothing to reduce unemployment
• Conclusion
  • Partial failure
  • Housing and education Act's victims of the Geddes Axe
  • Unemployment not dealt with

The Economy

• Nature
  • 1918-20 there was a short-lived boom
  • Post-war economy benefited from increased spending on luxury goods unavailable during the war
  • Unemployment decreased
  • Spending and demand rose
  • Slump of 1920's - due to high inflation and…