This documentary by Ken Loach chronicles how the welfare state came about. It covers the period running up to and after the 1945 election where Clement Atlee introduced dramatic reforms to improve people's lives. The reforms included the regulation of the workforce and its rights, the creation of the NHS, public education, nationalisation of public infrastructure, public housing and all the social improvements we have benefited from up to the beginning of the 21st century. Although all the areas covered by the documentary are interesting, I would recommend watching the short clips on life conditions in the 1920s and 30s through the Sam Watts 'Impossible Conditions' and 'We are the greatest empire in the world' videos and more current reflections on the Labour Manifesto where citizens and members of UK Uncut express their views on it in the two clips entitled 'Reflecting on the Labour Manifesto'. You can find them in the Welfare section.
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