War damage
As can be expected, a country that had been at war from September 1939 to May 1945 now faced a number of difficulties.
Economic
- Great Britain’s declining economy was unable to match the USA.
- Pressures of demobilised soldiers needing jobs.
- Shortages of food and vital materials meant rationing had to continue.
- By 1945, Britain’s reserves of gold had fallen from £864 million to £3 million
- Britain had lost 30 per cent of its total wealth
Social
- Rising divorce rates.
- Food shortages and long queues.
Housing
- Towns and cities, such as Swansea and Coventry, were heavily bombed.
- 20 per cent of schools/houses were destroyed or in need of repair.
- Thousands lost their homes, and many slept in army camps short term.
- Housing demands due to soldiers returning to civvy street.
- Poor standard of housing, such as a lack of running water.
Queues forming outside a bakery in Streatham High Street, London on 20 July 1946
