How effectively did Harold Wilson deal with social problems Labour faced between 1964-1970

What did Labour promise during this period?

- promised modernisation of society after "13 years of Tory misrule"

Social reforms owed alot to which individual?

- The Home Secretary: Roy Jenkins

What were the important social changes in the 1950s which resulted in changing attitudes?

- increase in prosperity = increase in travel and fewer divisions between social classes

- higher standard of living, more education, less respect for tradition

- youth culture

What was the Murder Act and when was it?

- November 1965, temporary abolition of the DP, made permanent in 1969

What was the Voting Act and when was it?

- May 1969, voting age lowered from 21 to 18

What was the Race Relations Act and when was it?

- April 1968 , racial discrimination in housing and employment made illegal

what was Equal Pay act and when was it?

- May 1970 , men and women receive the same pay for the same work

Under the Wilson government, which part of society had increased spending?

- Welfare and public services

Successes of Social Reforms?

- modernised society = kept promise

- increased standard of living

drawbacks of social reforms?

- traditionalists were outraged with these liberal reforms as they allowed a "permissive society" + DP was popular in opinion polls

Race Relations during this period?

- many new arrivals from commonwealth countries = this was unpopular due to racial prejudice

draw back of race relations act?

- enforcement methods were weak= less convitions

Successes of Education reforms in this period?

- In 1965 , Crossland began process if replacing old system with new comprehensive schools for all abilities

- expansion of FSM

- planned to increase school leaving age

- increased investment in education

what did the education budget rise from during this period?

- from 4.8% to 5.99%

successes in higher education?

- more opening of polytechnics and universities

- expansion of higher education

- opening of "Open University" = Wilson considered this his greatest achievements

drawbacks of reforms on education?

- comprehensive system was met with controversy in areas where grammar schools encouraged meritocracy

- increased school leaving age was delayed due to lack of classroom space (continued by Heath)

overall, were social reforms successful under wilson?

- Yes, despite some drawbacks like racial tensions and traditionalists viewing reforms as allowing a "permissive society", society's standard of living increased and more opportunities were available for everyone + modernisation of society