Heath

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What was the Family Income Supplement?
This helped poor families but was criticised by many Conservatives as being too socialist.
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When did the reform of local government come into operation?
1974
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What was the reform of local government?
This reduced the number of countries, in many cases changing names and boundaries, which was not popular, such as Merseyside, Teeside and Humberside.
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When was the Industrial Relations Act?
1971
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What was the Industrial Relations Act?
An extension of In Place of Strife. It was introduced by Robert Carr, the minister of labour.
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What were the criticisms of the Industrial Relations Act?
It was extremely complicated with 193 clauses, and it was legislated too quickly without consultation.
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What was the TUC's response to the Industrial Relations Act?
On the 18th March they held a special congress at Croydon. By the spring of 1971, they had spent £120,000 on organising marches and partitions opposing the bill, with its member unions putting in a further £125,000.
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What did the unions organise opposing the bill?
In January they held a 'day of protest' at Albert Hall, with speeches by Harold Wilson and Vic Feather. In February they organised the biggest demonstration in history. In March, Scanlon's engineering held a 2-day stoppage.
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Who were the two major unions that opposed the Industrial Relations Act?
The TUC and CBI.
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What had happened by November 1971?
28 unions had refused to register nd 61 had cancelled their registration - only 52 complied.
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How did the Industrial Relations Act affect Heath's government, especially in terms of morale?
It took a terrible toll, with over 100 hours of Parliament time trying to pass it. Heath not only failed to solve the union issue, but had destroyed his relationship with their leaders and alienated the left-of-centre opinion.
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What happened in the local elections in May 1971 as a result of the Industrial Relations Act?
The Conservatives suffered severe losses, with people viewing them as remote, elitist and uncaring.
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What did the Industrial Relations Act state?
That a National Industrial Relations Court would be set up to judge validity of strike action, a 'cooling off' period would be needed along with ballots, and unions had to put themselves on government register to carry out action.
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What did some people view the Industrial Relations Act as?
A moderate and sensible measure.
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What did Heath stop?
The National Board for Prices and Incomes.
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When were the miners' strikes under Heath?
1972 and 1973. They started on the 9th January 1972.
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How many days were lost to strikes in 1972?
Nearly 24 million - the highest since the General Strike of 1926.
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In 1972, who were the strikes by?
Miners, ambulance drivers, firefighters, civil servants, power workers and hospital staff.
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What were the characteristics of the miners' strikes in January 1972?
They started at a time of harsh winter weather due to coal miners rejecting 8% wage increase (they wanted 45%). Flying pickets were used, such as by the Yorkshire miners, led by Scargill, virtually stopping the movement of coal.
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What were the characteristics of the miners' strikes in February 1972?
By the 9th February, the government declared a State of Emergency as schools were closed and 1.2 million workers laid off. It set up the Wilberforce Committee to examine miners' demands and announced a three-day week to save electricity.
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What was the result of the Wilberforce Committee?
It came down on the side of the miners and the NUM leader, Joe Gormley was able to negotiate a generous wage settlement, undermining the authority of government.
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What did Heath try to do to solve the miners' strikes issues?
Return to the policy of wage demands, with the passing of the Industry Act of 1972.
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What was the Industry Act of 1972?
This aimed to involve the government, the TUC and the CBI in agreeing wages, prices, investment and benefits. This policy was heavily criticised by those of the right, such as Powell.
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What led to further demands for wage increases by miners?
The oil crisis in November 1973. This was beyond the limits the government wanted to impose to hold down inflation. The miners introduced an overtime ban to strengthen demands. Heath hoped a compromise could be reached - three-day week from 1974.
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After the three-day week was reintroduced, what did Heath do?
Moved Willie Whitelaw to minister of employment from the Northern Ireland Office as he was a skilled negotatiro. This failed. Miners refused to accept pay offer and government refused to treat them as a special case.
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When did the NUM call a national strike?
January 1974.
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What was the oil crisis?
It was caused by the Arab-Israeli War. The Arab oil states decided to show displeasure towards Israeli-sympathetic countries. Britain's oil imports were cut by 15% and price of oil trebled.
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What did the oil crisis cause?
A petrol shortage, no chance of a favourable balance of payments, and the three-day week when accompanied with miners' strikes.
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When was the three-day week?
Its January 1974 to the 7th March 1974. It was announced on the 13th December. The situation could hardly have been more serious.
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When the three-day week was over, what was the eventual settlement deal with the miners?
The NUM signed a 21% wage increase - 3 times that offered by employers.
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What did the three-day week suggest?
Britain was in deep trouble although some have suggested the concentration of production into 3 days actually in some cases saw it increase. Nevertheless there was a sense Britain could run out of fuel and its economy would be seriously weakened.
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How did the average weekly wage fall in the three-day week?
By £2 to £35.71.
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How did unemployment change in the three-day week?
It increased slightly - and this was mainly only temporary unemployment. It increased from 2.1% to 2.4%.
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How did productivity change in the three-day week?
It decreased, on average, from 80% to 75%. Though it was soon back to normal.
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Did a balance of payments crisis occur?
Yes.
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What was the issue that the February 1974 general election ran on?
'Who governs Britain?' - The government or the miners and trade unions.
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What were some of the three-day week measures?
Fuel was rationed and a speed limit of 50 mph on all roads. TV closed down at 10:30 pm. Cold weather allowed women to wear tourers to work. People encouraged to share baths. Unnecessary display lighting outlawed. Train services (ASLEF) disrupted.
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Card 4

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Card 5

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