1 - Special areas act

History

What was the purpose of the 1932 Import Duties Act?

The 1932 Import Duties Act introduced a 10% tariff on imports, except those from the Empire (Imperial Preference), to encourage the purchase of British goods. However, a quarter of imports were still duty-free.

What did the 1934 Unemployment Act establish?

The 1934 Unemployment Act set up the National Unemployment Assistance Board (UAB) to provide benefits. A Household Means Test was used to determine the benefit amount based on family income and savings.

Which areas were identified by the 1934 Special Areas Act as the most depressed?

The 1934 Special Areas Act identified four depressed areas:

Scotland

West Cumberland

Tyneside

South Wales

What initiatives were introduced in the 1934 Special Areas Act to revive depressed areas?

The government allocated £2 million to revive the areas, trained 30,000 unemployed men, and provided £1 million to encourage firms to build factories. The Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead and Treforest near Cardiff were key examples.

What happened to employment in the Team Valley Trading Estate by 1945?

By 1945, the Team Valley Trading Estate employed 16,000 people after its completion of 16,000 square feet of factory space by 1937.

What incentives were provided in the 1936 Special Areas Act to attract firms to depressed areas?

The 1936 Special Areas Act offered rates, rent, and income tax remissions to encourage firms to relocate to the special areas.

What was the effect of the Bank Rate reduction from 6% to 2%?

The Bank Rate reduction encouraged house building and stimulated related industries like builders, gas, and electricity, providing a boost to the economy.

What was the impact of Marketing Boards by 1937?

Marketing Boards helped control prices of farming products, leading to a 15% increase in agricultural production by 1937.

How did the British Iron and Steel Federation help improve efficiency?

The British Iron and Steel Federation was created to enhance the efficiency of the industry. Two new steel works were built at Ebbw Vale and Corby, stabilizing industries like coal, textiles, and steel by 1937.

What was the role of Government Loans Schemes in the 1930s?

The 1935 Government Loans Schemes provided funding to the shipbuilding industry, enabling the construction of Cunard’s Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth at John Brown’s shipyard in the Clyde.

What did the 1936 Rearmament programme lead to?

The 1936 Rearmament programme resulted in increased orders for factories, contributing to the rise in government spending.

What was the state of unemployment by 1937?

By 1937, unemployment had fallen to 1.4 million, though unemployment remained concentrated in the depressed areas.