Labour Government 1974–79

The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson and then James Callaghan as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, governed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1974 until 1979. The end of Callaghan’s ministry was marked by the Winter of Discontent, a period of serious industrial discontent. This was followed by the election of Conservative Margaret Thatcher in 1979. See also First Wilson ministry for the 1964–70 period.

Formation

After the February 1974 general election, no party had a majority of seats. The incumbent Conservative party won the popular vote, but Labour took the most seats. Edward Heath, the Conservative prime minister, attempted to negotiate a coalition with the Liberal party, but resigned as prime minister after failing in this regard. The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, then established a minority government, which took office on 4 March 1974.

It was generally recognised that this had no long-term stability, and that another general election was likely within a few months. Wilson called another general election for 10 October, and won by a majority of three seats.

The economy was in recession by the time of the first election, but economic growth was re-established by 1976, although inflation which had run into double digits before Labour came to power was now above 20%. It would remain high for the rest of this government, rarely falling below 10%. Unemployment was now well in excess of 1 million, whereas it had been less than 600,000 at the start of the decade. This was the result of the economic decline, as well as advancing engineering techniques which required fewer personnel, along with other factors including the closure of uneconomic factories and coalmines.

In March 1976, having just turned 60, Wilson resigned as prime minister, ending 13 years as Labour Party leader and a total of nearly eight years as prime minister. He was replaced by James Callaghan, who had held senior government roles during both of Wilson's spells as prime minister and had been a shadow cabinet member in the early 1960s.

Within a year of Callaghan taking office, the narrow Labour majority was eliminated due to by-election defeats, prompting a vote of confidence which prevented the government's collapse and a general election from being called. In order to sustain the government, Labour formed the Lib-Lab pact in March 1977 and this remained in force for 16 months. This minority government also managed to stay in power with unofficial deals with the Ulster Unionist Party and Scottish National Party.

By September 1978, economic growth was firmly re-established and inflation was below 10%, although unemployment now stood at a postwar high of 1.5 million. With most of the opinion polls showing a clear Labour lead it was widely expected that prime minister James Callaghan would call a general election that autumn, despite having another year to do so, in order to gain a majority and give his government the chance of surviving in office until 1983.

However, he resisted these calls and Britain began 1979 with Labour still in power and Callaghan still in charge, but his failure to call a general election during the autumn of 1978 would prove to be the undoing of this Labour government.

Major contributions

Although the 1974–79 Labour Government faced a number of economic difficulties, it was nevertheless able to carry out a broad range of reforms during its time in office. During Harold Wilson's final premiership from 1974 to 1976, a number of changes were carried out such as the introduction of new social security benefits and improvements in the rights of tenants. In March 1974, an additional £2 billion were announced for benefits, food subsidies, and housing subsidies, including a record 25% increase in the pension. Council house rents were also frozen. Council house building continued on a substantial scale, although there was now a greater emphasis on modernising older properties rather than replacing them with new ones.

That same year, national insurance benefits were increased by 13%, which brought pensions as a proportion of average earnings "up to a value equivalent to the previous high, which was reached in 1965 as a result of Labour legislation." In order to maintain the real value of these benefits in the long term, the government introduced legislation which linked future increases in pensions to higher incomes or wages.[1] In 1974–75, social spending was increased in real terms by 9%. In 1974, pensions were increased in real terms by 14%, while in early 1975 increases were made in family allowances. There were also significant increases in rate and rent subsidies, together with £500 million worth of food subsidies.[2]

An Independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (now simply called Acas) (regarded as very much the brainchild of the trade union leader Jack Jones) was set, which according to Robert Taylor continues to provide "an impartial and impressive function in resolving disputes and encouraging good industrial relations practice." A Manpower Services Commission was set up to encourage a more active labour market policy to improve job placements and deal with unemployment. The Pay Board was abolished, while the Price Commission was provided with greater powers to control and delay price increases. In addition, the Housing Rents and Subsidies Act 1975 gave power over rents back to local authorities.[3]

To help those with disabilities, the government introduced an Invalid Care Allowance, a Mobility Allowance, a Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension for those unable to contribute through national insurance, and other measures. To combat child poverty, legislation to create a universal Child Benefit was passed in 1975 (a reform later implemented by the Callaghan Government). To raise the living standards of those dependant on national insurance benefits, the government index-linked short-term benefits to the rate of inflation, while pensions and long-term benefits were tied to increases in prices or earnings, whichever was higher.[4]

In 1975, a State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) was introduced. A new pension, which was inflation-proofed and linked to earnings, was added to the basic pension which was to increase in line with earnings for the first time ever. This reform assisted women by the linking of pensions to the 'twenty best years' of earnings, and those who worked at home caring for children or others were counted as contributors. This scheme was reformed by the subsequent Thatcher Government. The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 gave women the right in principle to equal access to jobs and equal treatment at work with men, while the Employment Protection Act 1975 introduced Statutory Maternity Leave.[5] That same year, the wage stop was finally abolished.[6] In addition, differentials between skilled and unskilled workers were narrowed as a result of egalitarian pay policies involving flat-rate increases.

The 1975 Social Security Pensions Act provided for equal access by men and women to employers’ pension schemes and also included a home responsibilities provision ensuring that parents and those looking after elderly dependents could retain their pension rights in spite of employment breaks. As a means of combating sex discrimination within the social security system, the Act provided that in future married women would receive the same level of personal sickness or unemployment benefit.[7] The Housing Finance Act 1974 increased aid to local authorities for slum clearance, introduced a system of "fair rents" in public and private sector unfurnished accommodation, and introduced rent rebates for council tenants. The Housing Act 1974 improved the Renovation Grants scheme, provided increased levels of aid to housing associations (which emerged as a popular alternative to council housing for people seeking to rent a home), and extended the role of the Housing Corporation. The Rent Act 1974 extended security of tenure to tenants of furnished properties and allowed access to rent tribunals. The Community Land Act 1975 allowed for the taking into public control of development land, while the Child Benefits Act 1975 introduced an extra payment for lone parents.[8] A Resource Allocation Working Party (RAWP) was also set up to produce a formula for a more equitable distribution of health care expenditure.[9] Anthony Crosland, while serving as a minister during Wilson's second government, made a decision to reform the level of Rate Support Grant, introducing a standard level of relief across the country to benefit poorer urban areas.[3]

Circular 4/74 (1974) renewed pressure for moves towards comprehensive education (progress of which had stalled under the Heath Government), while the industrial relations legislation passed under Edward Heath was repealed. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 set up a Health and Safety Commission and Executive and a legal framework for health and safety at work. The Employment Protection Act 1975 set up the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Services (ACAS) to arbitrate in industrial disputes, enlarged the rights of employees and trade unions, extended the redundancy payments scheme, and provided redress against unfair dismissal. The legislation also provided for paid maternity leave and outlawed dismissal for pregnancy. The Act also obliged employers to pay their workers a minimum guaranteed payment “if they are laid off through no fault of their own.”[7] The Social Security Act 1975 introduced a maternity allowance fund, while the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 set up an Equal Opportunities Commission and outlawed gender discrimination (both indirect and direct).[8] In addition, the Social Security Act of 1975 included progressive noise-induced hearing loss “in the list of prescribed diseases covered by the Industrial Injuries Scheme as Occupational Deafness.”[10]

The Woodworking Machines Regulations 1974, replacing the 1922 Regulations, came into operation on in November 1974. These regulations raised the standard of guarding of the most dangerous machines.[11] Improvements were made in mine-workers' pensions, while the Coal Mines (Respirable Dust) Regulations 1975, which came into operation in October that year, were aimed at reducing the incidence of coal miners' pneumoconiosis. They prescribed permitted amounts of respirable dust at workplaces in coal mines as well as arrangements for the suppression and continuous sampling of dust, and they include a scheme for the medical supervision of workers at risk. The Protection of Eyes Regulations 1974 and 1975, replacing the 1938 Regulations, extended protection to those employed on construction sites as well as in factories.[12] In addition, the Policyholders Protection Act 1975 introduced safeguards for customers of failed insurance companies.[13]

Wilson's successor Callaghan, together with his ministers, also introduced a number of reforms during their time in office. The Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 gave every person over the age of 16, whose resources were not enough to meet his or her basic needs, the right to claim a supplementary pension if he or she had reached state-pension age, and a supplementary allowance if he or she was less than this age.[14][15] The Rent (Agricultural) Act 1976 provided security of tenure for agricultural workers in tied accommodation, while the Bail Act 1976 reformed bail conditions with courts having to explain refusal of bail. The Police Act 1976 set up a Police Complaints Board "to formalise the procedure for dealing with public complaints." The Education Act 1976 limited the taking up of independent and Direct grant school places and required all local authorities who had failed to do so "to submit proposals for comprehensive schools," while the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 extended local council responsibility "to provide accommodation for homeless people in their area,"[8] and instituted the right of homeless families to a permanent local council tenancy.[16] In addition, efforts were made under the Environment Secretary Peter Shore to redistribute resources toward deprived urban areas.[17] The Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 allowed local authorities to assist declining industrial areas and central government provided new subsidies to those inner city areas with the most problems,[3] while the 1978 Finance Act introduced profit-sharing schemes.[18] In April 1976, a Child Interim Benefit for single-parent families was introduced,[19] followed by a universal Child Benefit scheme the following year.[20]

The Callaghan Government also introduced a range of measures aimed at moderating pressures for wage rises and to create a favourable climate “for an orderly restoration of collective bargaining.” These included the granting of family income supplements to bring the incomes of lower-paid workers up to the level of social security benefits, the lowering of marginal tax rates on smaller incomes by rises in personal allowances, and increases in children’s allowances (which were payable to the mother). However, child tax allowances were lowered, which had the effect of reducing the take home pay of fathers. The impact of consumer price rises was also mitigated by higher income limits for free school meals, an increased milk subsidy, and a substantial reduction in the duty on petrol. In addition, electricity prices were lowered for families in receipt of supplementary benefits.[21]

The government came under fire from the British public in November 1977, when the Fire Brigades Union called its first national strike, in response to the government's refusal to grant firefighters a 30% pay rise. The strike lasted until after Christmas, and for its duration Britain's fire services were operated by hastily trained army troops, whose Green Goddess vehicles dated from the 1950s and were considerably slower than the fire engines of the 1970s, and the troops lacked the breathing equipment available to the fire brigade.[22] Well over 100 people died in fires during the strike, with the worst tragedy occurring in Wednesbury, where four children died in a house fire.[23]

The Training Opportunities Scheme, under which more than 90,000 people completed their training in 1976 and which catered mainly for people over 19 years old, was extended during 1977 to include provisions for training persons for self-employment. In addition, technician training was extended and the network of skillcentres continued to expand. In August 1977, a scheme for voluntary early retirement was introduced in the coal industry for men aged 62 or more with 20 or more year's underground service, with weekly payments up to normal pensionable age. In January 1977, unions became authorized to lodge a claim on behalf of workers with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service for an improvement in terms and conditions of employment on the grounds that existing terms and conditions were less favourable than the relevant recognized terms and conditions for the trade in the area or, where these did not exist, the general level. In February, sections of the Employment Act 1975 were brought into operation dealing with the qualifying hours for part-time work, thereby entitling large numbers of part-time workers to the same rights and job security as full-time workers. Also in February, employees became entitled to receive guarantee payments from their employers when laid off or on short time, while in April sections of the 1975 Employment Act were activated giving employees the right to paid time off work in order to perform certain public duties. The main provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 came into force in June 1977, making it unlawful for an employer to discriminate in recruitment or dismissal or in the treatment of existing employees in matters of promotion, transfer, training or other benefits on the grounds of nationality, race, colour, colour, or ethic or national origins. A Commission for Racial Equality was established to work towards the elimination of discrimination the promotion of equality of opportunity, and good relations between persons of different racial groups.[24]

In Scotland, the Community Service by Offenders Act 1978 introduced provisions whereby offenders might, under certain circumstances, be ordered by courts to undertake community work as an alternative to a prison sentence. This legislation brought Scotland in line with England and Wales where similar provisions already apply. The Mines (Precautions Against Inrushes) Regulations 1979 applied to all types of mines and made provision for measures to be taken against the hazard of inrushes of water or gas or material which flows when wet.[25]

In housing policy, a shift of emphasis in housing policy towards rehabilitation was evident in the further increase in the number of General Improvement Areas and the number of Housing Action Areas declared. An Act of March 1977 makes provision, for a limited period, for benefits to be paid from the age of 64 to workers who agree to retire in order to free jobs for young unemployed people, in response to the rise of youth unemployment. A number of other improvements were introduced in 1977, with Attendance Allowances extended to cover handicapped foster children and non-contributory disablement pensions extended to married women whose invalidity prevented them from carrying out their household tasks. In January 1977, regulations were issued which brought about a change in the administration of legislation governing fire precautions at places of work. Under these regulations the Health and Safety Executive retained full responsibility for fire safety in certain 'special' premises such as nuclear installations, coalmines and chemical plants, whereas responsibility for general fire precautions at places of work was transferred to local fire authorities.[24] In July 1977, an experimental Job Introduction Scheme was introduced to provide financial assistance enabling certain disabled people to undertake a trial period of employment with an employer, where there was reasonable doubt as to the person’s ability to perform a particular job. In July 1978, a revised and simplified scheme designed to assist severely disabled people with their travel-to-work costs was introduced.[26]

The Safety Representatives and Committees Regulations of 1977 made provision for recognised trade unions to appoint health and safety representatives “and gave such representatives rights to representation and consultation on health and safety as well as rights to access to training and facilities to support them in undertaking these tasks.”[27] The Homes Insulation Act 1978 provided for grants to occupiers towards the cost of thermal insulation of their dwellings, while under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations recognized trade unions were allowed to appoint safety representatives who would have certain rights and functions. As part of an extension in external consultation on the prevention of industrial accidents and occupationally induced diseases the Health and Safety Commission established three Industry Advisory Committees for construction, railways and oil and regulations were issued in March 1978 dealing with the packaging and labelling of some 800 dangerous chemicals commonly used at work and in the home. Improvements to the Mineworkers Sick Pay Scheme were also introduced from 1978, with improvement in the formula for calculating benefit improved and the period of 'waiting days' reduced from seven to three.[28] The Home Purchase Assistance and Housing Corporation Guarantee Act 1978, gave help to first-time home buyers.[29] The Consumer Safety Act 1978 protected consumers from purchasing potentially harmful goods,[30] while the 1979 Credit Unions Act, the last piece of legislation passed by the Labour government,[31] set up a legal structure for credit unions.[32]

Fate

With strikes affecting Britain during the Winter of Discontent (late 1978/early 1979) and inflation back in double digits, the loss of a vote of no confidence in 1979 precipitated a General Election, which the Conservatives won - with their leader Margaret Thatcher becoming Britain's first female prime minister.

James Callaghan would continue to lead Labour in opposition for 18 months before stepping down to make way for Michael Foot. He remained in parliament until stepping down at the 1987 general election, having served in parliament for 42 years.

Cabinets

Wilson's cabinet (March 1974 – April 1976)

OFFICENAMETERM
Prime Minister
First Lord of the Treasury
Minister for the Civil Service
Harold Wilson19741976
Chancellor of the ExchequerDenis Healey19741976
Lord ChancellorThe Lord Elwyn-Jones19741976
Lord President of the CouncilEdward Short19741976
Lord Privy SealThe Lord Shepherd19741976
Foreign SecretaryJames Callaghan19741976
Home SecretaryRoy Jenkins19741976
Secretary of State for DefenceRoy Mason19741976
Secretary of State for Education and ScienceReg Prentice19741975
 Fred Mulley19751976
Secretary of State for EmploymentMichael Foot19741976
Secretary of State for EnergyEric Varley19741975
 Tony Benn19751976
Secretary of State for the EnvironmentAnthony Crosland19741976
Secretary of State for Social ServicesBarbara Castle19741976
Secretary of State for IndustryTony Benn19741975
 Eric Varley19751976
Minister for Overseas DevelopmentReg Prentice19751976
Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer ProtectionShirley Williams19741976
Secretary of State for TradePeter Shore19741976
Secretary of State for ScotlandWilliam Ross19741976
Secretary of State for WalesJohn Morris19741976
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandMerlyn Rees19741976
Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterHarold Lever19741976
Parliamentary Secretary to the TreasuryRobert Mellish19741976
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodFred Peart19741976
Minister for Planning and Local GovernmentJohn Silkin19741976

Callaghan's cabinet (April 1976 – May 1979)

OFFICENAMETERM
Prime Minister
First Lord of the Treasury
Minister for the Civil Service
James Callaghan19761979
Chancellor of the ExchequerDenis Healey19761979
Lord ChancellorThe Lord Elwyn-Jones19761979
Lord President of the CouncilMichael Foot19761979
Lord Privy SealThe Lord Shepherd1976
 The Lord Peart19761979
Foreign SecretaryAnthony Crosland19761977
 David Owen19771979
Home SecretaryRoy Jenkins1976
 Merlyn Rees19761979
Secretary of State for DefenceRoy Mason1976
 Fred Mulley19761979
Secretary of State for Education and ScienceFred Mulley1976
 Shirley Williams19761979
Secretary of State for EmploymentAlbert Booth19761979
Secretary of State for EnergyTony Benn19761979
Secretary of State for the EnvironmentPeter Shore19761979
Secretary of State for Social ServicesDavid Ennals19761979
Secretary of State for IndustryEric Varley19761979
Minister for Overseas DevelopmentReginald Prentice1976
Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer ProtectionShirley Williams1976
 Roy Hattersley19761979
Secretary of State for TradeEdmund Dell19761978
 John Smith19781979
Secretary of State for TransportBill Rodgers19761979
Secretary of State for ScotlandBruce Millan19761979
Secretary of State for WalesJohn Morris19761979
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandMerlyn Rees1976
 Roy Mason19761979
Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterHarold Lever19761979
Chief Secretary to the TreasuryJoel Barnett19771979
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodFred Peart1976
 John Silkin19761979
Minister for Social SecurityStanley Orme19761979
Minister for Local Government and PlanningJohn Silkin1976

Full list of ministers

Members of the Cabinet are in bold face.

OfficeNameDatesNotes
Prime Minister,
First Lord of the Treasury
and Minister for the Civil Service
Harold Wilson4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976 
James Callaghan5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Minister of State, Civil Service DepartmentRobert Sheldon7 March 1974 
Charles Morris18 October 1974 
Parliamentary Secretary, Civil Service DepartmentJohn Grant7 March 1974 – 18 October 1974 
Lord ChancellorThe Lord Elwyn-Jones5 March 1974 
Lord President of the Council
and Leader of the House of Commons
Edward Short5 March 1974 
Michael Foot8 April 1976 
Minister of State for the Privy Council OfficeGerald Fowler18 October 1974 
The Lord Crowther-Hunt23 January 1976 
John Smith8 April 1976 
The Baroness Birk3 January 1979 
Parliamentary Secretary to the Privy Council OfficeWilliam Price18 October 1974 
Lord Privy Seal
and Leader of the House of Lords
The Lord Shepherd7 March 1974 
The Lord Peart10 September 1976 
Chancellor of the ExchequerDenis Healey5 March 1974 
Chief Secretary to the TreasuryJoel Barnett7 March 1974In Cabinet from Feb 1977
Parliamentary Secretary to the TreasuryRobert Mellish5 March 1974 
Michael Cocks8 April 1976 
Financial Secretary to the TreasuryJohn Gilbert7 March 1974 
Robert Sheldon17 June 1975 
Minister of State, TreasuryRobert Sheldon18 October 1974 
Denzil Davies17 June 1975 
Lords of the TreasuryDonald Coleman8 March 1974 – 6 July 1978 
James Dunn8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976  
John Golding8 March 1974 – 18 October 1974  
Tom Pendry8 March 1974 – 18 January 1977  
James Hamilton8 March 1974 – 28 June 1974 
Michael Cocks28 June 1974 – 8 April 1976  
Jack Dormand18 October 1974 – 4 May 1979  
David Stoddart4 April 1976 – 18 November 1977  
Edward Graham14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979  
Tom Cox19 January 1977 – 4 May 1979  
Peter Snape23 November 1977 – 4 May 1979 
Albert Stallard5 July 1978 – 17 January 1979  
Alfred Bates17 January 1979 – 4 May 1979 
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsJames Callaghan5 March 1974 
Anthony Crosland8 April 1976 
David Owen21 February 1977 
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsDavid Ennals7 March 1974 – 8 April 1976 
Roy Hattersley7 March 1974 – 10 September 1976 
The Lord Goronwy-Roberts4 December 1975 – 4 May 1979 
Ted Rowlands14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
David Owen10 September 1976 – 21 February 1977 
Frank Judd21 February 1977 – 4 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsJoan Lestor8 March 1974 – 12 June 1975 
The Lord Goronwy-Roberts8 March 1974 – 4 December 1975 
Ted Rowlands12 June 1975 – 14 April 1976 
John Tomlinson17 March 1976 – 4 May 1979Also Overseas Development
Evan Luard14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Minister for Overseas DevelopmentJudith Hart7 April 1974Subordinated to Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 10 June 1975
Minister of Overseas DevelopmentReginald Prentice10 June 1975 
Frank Judd21 December 1976 
Judith Hart21 February 1977 
Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas DevelopmentWilliam Price11 March 1974 
John Grant18 October 1974 
Frank Judd14 April 1976 
John Tomlinson3 January 1977 
Secretary of State for the Home DepartmentRoy Jenkins5 March 1974 
Merlyn Rees10 September 1976 
Minister of State for Home AffairsThe Lord Harris8 March 1974 – 3 January 1979 
Alex Lyon8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976 
Brynmor John14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
The Lord Boston3 January 1979 – 4 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State for Home AffairsShirley Summerskill8 March 1974 
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodFred Peart5 March 1974 
John Silkin10 September 1976 
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodNorman Buchan8 March 1974 
Edward Stanley Bishop18 October 1974 
Parliamentary Secretary to Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodRoland Moyle11 March 1974 
Edward Stanley Bishop28 June 1974 
Gavin Strang18 October 1974 
Secretary of State for DefenceRoy Mason4 March 1974 
Frederick Mulley10 September 1976 
Minister of State for DefenceWilliam Rodgers4 March 1974 
John Gilbert10 September 1976 
Under-Secretary of State for the NavyFrank Judd8 March 1974 
Patrick Duffy14 April 1976 
Under-Secretary of State for the Air ForceBrynmor John8 March 1974 
James Wellbeloved14 April 1976 
Under-Secretary of State for the ArmyDesmond Brayley4 March 1974 
Robert Brown18 October 1974 
Secretary of State for Education and ScienceReginald Prentice5 March 1974 
Frederick Mulley10 June 1975 
Shirley Williams10 September 1976 
Minister of State, Education and ScienceGerald Fowler8 March 1974 
Norman Crowther Hunt18 October 1974 
Gerald Fowler23 January 1976 
Gordon Oakes10 September 1976 
Janet Young7 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State, Education and ScienceErnest Armstrong7 March 1974 
Joan Lestor12 June 1975 
Margaret Jackson12 March 1976 
Secretary of State for EmploymentMichael Foot5 March 1974 
Albert Booth8 April 1976
Minister of State, EmploymentAlbert Booth8 March 1976 
Harold Walker14 April 1976 
Under-Secretary of State, EmploymentJohn Fraser8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976 
Harold Walker8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976 
John Golding14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
John Grant14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Secretary of State for EnergyEric Varley5 March 1974 
Tony Benn10 May 1975 
Minister of State, EnergyThomas Balogh7 March 1974 
John Smith4 December 1975 
Dickson Mabon14 April 1976 
Under-Secretary of State, EnergyGavin Strang7 March 1974 – 18 October 1974 
Alex Eadie7 March 1974 – 4 May 1979 
John Smith18 October 1974 – 4 December 1975 
The Lord Lovell-Davis4 December 1975 – 14 April 1976 
Gordon Oakes14 April 1976 – 10 September 1976 
Jack Cunningham10 September 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Secretary of State for the EnvironmentAnthony Crosland5 March 1974 
Peter Shore8 April 1976 
Minister of State, Urban AffairsCharles Morris7 March 1974 – 18 October 1974 
Minister of State (Sport, Recreation and Water Resources)Denis Howell7 March 1974 – 4 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State, EnvironmentGerald Kaufman8 March 1974 – 12 June 1975 
Neil Carmichael8 March 1974 – 4 December 1975 
Gordon Oakes8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976 
Alma Birk18 October 1974 – 3 January 1979 
Ernest Armstrong12 June 1975 – 4 May 1979 
Guy Barnett5 December 1975 – 4 May 1979 
Kenneth Marks14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Phyllis Stedman3 January 1979 – 4 May 1979 
Minister for Planning and Local GovernmentJohn Silkin7 March 1974In Cabinet from 18 October 1974. Office abolished 10 September 1976
Minister for TransportFred Mulley7 March 1974 
John Gilbert12 June 1975Separate department and Cabinet Minister from 10 September 1976
Minister for Housing and ConstructionReg Freeson7 March 1974 
Secretary of State for Social ServicesBarbara Castle5 March 1974 
David Ennals8 April 1976 
Minister of State, Health and Social SecurityBrian O'Malley8 March 1974 – 6 April 1976 
David Owen26 July 1974 – 10 September 1976 
Stan Orme8 April 1976 – 4 May 1979In Cabinet as Minister for Social Security from 10 September 1976
Roland Moyle10 September 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityDavid Owen8 March 1974 – 26 July 1974 
Robert Brown8 March 1974 – 18 October 1974 
Alec Jones18 October 1974 – 12 June 1975 
Michael Meacher12 June 1975 – 14 April 1976 
Eric Deakins14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
The Lord Wells-Pestell3 January 1979 – 4 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State, Disabled IndustryAlf Morris11 March 1974 – 4 May 1979 
Secretary of State for IndustryTony Benn5 March 1974Also Minister for Posts and Telecommunications 7–29 March 1974
Eric Varley10 June 1975 
Minister of State, IndustryEric Heffer7 March 1974 – 9 April 1975 
The Lord Beswick11 March 1974 – 4 December 1975 
Gerald Kaufman4 December 1975 – 14 April 1976 
Alan Williams14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State, IndustryGregor Mackenzie7 March 1974 – 10 June 1975 
Michael Meacher7 March 1974 – 12 June 1975 
Gerald Kaufman12 June 1975 – 4 December 1975 
The Lord Melchett4 December 1975 – 10 September 1976 
Neil Carmichael4 December 1975 – 14 April 1976 
Les Huckfield4 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Bob Cryer10 September 1976 – 20 November 1978 
Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterHarold Lever5 March 1974
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandMerlyn Rees5 March 1974 
Roy Mason10 September 1976 
Minister of State, Northern IrelandStan Orme7 March 1974 – 8 April 1976 
Roland Moyle27 June 1974 – 10 September 1976 
Don Concannon14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
The Lord Melchett10 September 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State, Northern IrelandThe Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976 
Don Concannon27 June 1974 – 5 April 1976 
James Dunn5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Raymond Carter5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Tom Pendry11 November 1978 – 4 May 1979 
Paymaster GeneralEdmund Dell7 March 1974
Shirley Williams5 April 1976 
Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer ProtectionShirley Williams4 March 1974 
Roy Hattersley10 September 1976 
Minister of State, Prices and Consumer ProtectionAlan Williams4 March 1974 
John Fraser5 April 1976 
Under-Secretary of State, Prices and Consumer ProtectionRobert Maclennan4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for ScotlandWilliam Ross4 March 1974 
Bruce Millan5 April 1976 
Minister of State for ScotlandBruce Millan4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976 
The Lord Hughes4 March 1974 – 8 August 1975 
The Lord Kirkhill8 August 1975 – 15 December 1978
Gregor Mackenzie5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Under-Secretary of State for ScotlandRobert Hughes4 March 1974 – 22 July 1975 
Hugh Brown27 June 1974 – 4 May 1979 
Harry Ewing18 October 1974 – 4 May 1979 
Frank McElhone22 July 1975 – 4 May 1979 
Secretary of State for TradePeter Shore4 March 1974 
Edmund Dell5 April 1976 
John Smith11 November 1978 
Under-Secretary of State for TradeEric Deakins4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976 
Clinton Davis4 March 1974 – 4 May 1979 
Michael Meacher5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 
Secretary of State for TransportWilliam Rodgers10 September 1976 
Under-Secretary of State for TransportJohn Horam10 September 1976 
Secretary of State for WalesJohn Morris4 March 1974
Under-Secretary of State for WalesTed Rowlands4 March 1974 – 12 June 1975 
Barry Jones4 March 1974 – 4 May 1979 
Alec Jones12 June 1975 – 4 May 1979 
Attorney GeneralSamuel Silkin4 March 1974 
Solicitor GeneralPeter Archer4 March 1974 
Parliamentary Secretary to the Law OfficersArthur Davidson4 March 1974 
Lord AdvocateRonald King Murray4 March 1974 
Solicitor General for ScotlandJohn McCluskey4 March 1974 
Treasurer of the HouseholdWalter Harrison4 March 1974 
Comptroller of the HouseholdJoseph Harper4 March 1974 
James Hamilton6 July 1978 
Vice-Chamberlain of the HouseholdDon Concannon4 March 1974 
James Hamilton27 June 1974 
Donald Coleman6 July 1978 
Captain of the Gentlemen at ArmsThe Baroness Llewellyn-Davies4 March 1974 
Captain of the Yeomen of the GuardThe Lord Strabolgi4 March 1974 
Lords-in-WaitingThe Lord Jacques4 March 1974 – 19 January 1977, 11 January 1979 – 4 May 1979 
The Lord Garnsworthy4 March 1974 – 4 September 1974 
The Baroness Birk4 March 1974 – 18 October 1974 
The Lord Wells-Pestell4 March 1974 – 11 January 1979 
The Lord Winterbottom18 October 1974 – 27 October 1978 
The Lord Lovell-Davis18 October 1974 – 4 December 1975 
The Lord Melchett18 October 1974 – 4 December 1975 
The Baroness Stedman4 December 1975 – 11 January 1979 
The Lord Oram23 January 1976 – 23 March 1978 
The Lord Wallace of Coslany19 January 1977 – 4 May 1979 
The Lord Leonard27 October 1978 – 4 May 1979 
The Baroness David of Romsey27 October 1978 – 4 May 1979 

References

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  4. Labour in power? A study of the Labour Government 1974–1979 by David Coates
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  6. Poverty and the development of anti-poverty policy in the United Kingdom: a report to the Commission of the European Communities by Richard Berthoud, Joan C. Brown and Steven Cooper, Commission of the European Communities, Policy Studies Institute
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  30. Social enterprise. Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 29 December 2014.

Further reading

Preceded by
Heath ministry
Government of the United Kingdom
19741979
Succeeded by
First Thatcher ministry
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