Changes in the standard of living

• Standard of living measures whether people’s lives are getting worse; it is largely but not wholly an economic measure
• Increased employment rates meant more workers enjoyed better and regular incomes, but this did not benefit minority groups.
• Work in the Labour Service was often harsh and poorly paid.
• Wages rose by 20% from 1933-39 but the price of food rose by the same level (this is often described as ‘real wages’ not rising).
• Some workers, such as skilled workers in the armaments industry, had higher wage rises and could afford more luxury goods.
• Car ownership trebled in the 1930s, although from a relatively low base, while the sale of goods in the shops increased by 45% from 1933-39
• The average working week also went up from 43 hours in 1933 to 49 hours in 1939.