The Attlean Consensus

• Attleean Consensus included borrowing from the USA with conditions such as keeping taxes high in return for New Jerusalem initiatives
• SWIDI

  Squalor, Want, Ignorance, Disease, Idleness
• The biggest problem Attlee came into was the post-war economy
• The NHS was established on 5/5/1948 with funding from National Insurance and tax, providing various healthcare services
• Solutions for Want

  1. Family Allowance Act 1945

  2. The National Insurance Act 1946

  3. Industrial Injuries Act 1946

  4. National Assistance Act 1948
• Solutions for Squalor

  1. Council housing

  2. New Towns Act 1946

  3. Prefabs

  4. Squatting
• Orthodox economics wouldn’t work because the people would starve
• Keynesianism, used by the government from 1945-70s, involved borrowing money and spending on useful projects to create more jobs
• Solutions for Ignorance

  1. Education Act 1944

  2. School Building
• The biggest problem Attlee faced was the post-war economy
• Problems in 1945

  • Promised a new Jerusalem e.g NHS, benefits, Reconstruction of cities, 1.2 Million houses, Huge debt to America after lend lease ends, 14% of GNP on defence, Loss of markets
• Keynesianism


  • Used by the government from 1945-70s, The government borrows money and spends on useful projects, The workers spend the money they earn and create more jobs
• Solutions for Ignorance

  Education Act 1944, School Building
• Solutions for Squalor


  Council housing, New Towns Act 1946, Prefabs, Squatting
• The NHS 1946

  Provided GP’s, specialists, hospitals, dentist, opticians, and prescriptions
• Orthodox economics wouldn't work as it would lead to starvation
• The Attleean Consensus aimed to address SWIDI - Squalor, Want, Ignorance, Disease, Idleness
• The Attleean Consensus Policy

  1. Borrow from USA

  2. Keep tax high at 50% in return for New Jerusalem

  3. Control exchange of money

  4. Austerity and rationing

  5. Government controlled the economy

  6. Control imports and exports

  7. Export or Expire
• The Attleean Consensus

  Agreement on economic policies during the post-war period under Attlee
• Solutions for Want


  Family Allowance Act 1945, The National Insurance Act 1946, Industrial Injuries Act 1946, National Assistance Act 1948
• Family allowance act


  1945
• National Insurance Act + Industrial Injuries

  1946
• NHS Begins + National Assistance


  1948
• Council Housing 45-51


  Four council houses for every private - led to 500k built
• New Towns Act


  Solved overcrowding
• Squatting


  Government didnt prosecute civilians squatting in barracks
• Want


  FAA, NAA
• Family Assistance Act


  1945
• National Assistance Act


  1948 - means tested but became relied on as benefits were low
• Ignorance


  Education Act 1944/Butler Act
• Education Act


  1944 - Leaving age of school 15/16 - now compulsory and 11+ exam - implemented by Attlee
• By 1950 over ____ schools built


  1.5k
• Disease


  NHS -46 starts 48 - Bevin minister for health and housing - GP, Hospital, Optician