What was the Three Day Week in 1974 and why were there blackouts?
1970’S BRITAIN was a tumultuous time for the country in more ways than one.
The power struggle between the government and trade unions was just the tip of the iceberg.
What was the Three Day Week?
The Three-Day Week was one of the many measures that were introduced into the United Kingdom in 1973-1974.
The measures were introduced by Edward Heath’s Conservative government.
The government were trying to conserve electricity during an energy crisis.
The crisis was exacerbated by the industrial action of coal miners and railway workers.
Throughout the 1970s the British economy was plagued by high rates of inflation.
To try and combat this, the government capped workers’ wages, causing unrest among the working class.
The electricity that kept the country running was produced by coal-burning power stations.
Heath’s administration limited commercial consumption of electricity to just three consecutive business days a week.
Heath’s objectives for this were to avoid any further inflation and a currency crisis.
Instead of a total shutdown, working time was reduced to enhance the availability of fuel stocks.
Essential establishments like hospitals and supermarkets were exempt from this measure.
TV broadcast stations were forced to shut down at 10:30 pm and most pubs were closed.
There was a break for the Christmas and New Year period.
How long did the Three Day Week go on for?
The Three Day Week was introduced on December 17, 1973, and lifted on March 7, 1974.
Restrictions on TV broadcasting were lifted on February 8, 1974.
During the time these measures were in place, Heath called a general election.
The election resulted in a hung parliament, with Conservatives losing their majority and Labour gaining the most seats in the House of Commons.
Following the election. Labour immediately increased miners’ wages by 35% and the three day working week was brought to an end.
Why were there blackouts in 1972?
Britain heavily relied on coal to fuel the country during the 1970s and wages for miners had stagnated post World War Two.
The National Union of Mineworkers proposed a 43% pay rise and threatened strike action if they were refused.
After negotiations between the government and the unions failed, the miners went on strike in January 1972.
A month later, electricity supplies had run so low that a state of emergency was declared.
The government attempted to use planned blackouts to manage the supply crisis.
But the blackouts disrupted industries and services severely, with thousands of people losing their jobs.