On this day in 1910, Barbara Betts was born – later better known as Barbara Castle 🌹
In my opinion, no Labour Cabinet Minister has had a more positive influence on UK policy in the last 60 years.
A big claim, but one I think is justified … 🧵
In my opinion, no Labour Cabinet Minister has had a more positive influence on UK policy in the last 60 years.
A big claim, but one I think is justified … 🧵
Castle established the Department of Overseas Development as its first Cabinet Minister under Harold Wilson (then only the 4th ever woman Cabinet minister)
The ministry later became the Department for International Development before being abolished by Boris Johnson in 2020
The ministry later became the Department for International Development before being abolished by Boris Johnson in 2020
As Transport Minister, she made wearing a seatbelt compulsory, mandated the 70mph speed limit, and introduced breathalysers for drink-driving – saving thousands of lives every year
She also backed plans for a London Congestion Charge (which Ken Livingstone would later introduce)
She also backed plans for a London Congestion Charge (which Ken Livingstone would later introduce)
As Employment Secretary, she was responsible for the Equal Pay Act 1970, following the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike, now immortalised in the film Made in Dagenham.
It paved the way for numerous successful pay claims and a volume of case law.
It paved the way for numerous successful pay claims and a volume of case law.
https://twitter.com/labourunionsuk/status/1266301803345240064?s=20
Barbara Castle boasted in 1998:
"The biggest modernisation of the welfare state was carried out by me in 1974 to 1976 ... I brought the Beveridge Report up to date"
Castle had returned to Cabinet in 1974 as Secretary of State for Health and Social Services. Here's what she did:
"The biggest modernisation of the welfare state was carried out by me in 1974 to 1976 ... I brought the Beveridge Report up to date"
Castle had returned to Cabinet in 1974 as Secretary of State for Health and Social Services. Here's what she did:
In 1975, she passed the Child Benefit Act, a universal payment for all children, which unlike its predecessor, Family Allowance, gave payments for the 1st child too.
Castle insisted that Child Benefit was paid directly to mothers, unlike Family Allowance which was paid to men.
Castle insisted that Child Benefit was paid directly to mothers, unlike Family Allowance which was paid to men.
Later she introduced the ‘earnings link’ whereby social security benefits, including pensions, rose by average earnings increases, not just price inflation.
If Thatcher hadn’t broken the earnings link in 1980, the basic state pension would today be £50 per week higher.
If Thatcher hadn’t broken the earnings link in 1980, the basic state pension would today be £50 per week higher.
Castle would later lambast the New Labour government for failing to restore the earnings link, saying in 1999:
“What worries me is that the government keeps on saying that the basic pension is to be the foundation of security for everybody - but that is shrivelling in value”
“What worries me is that the government keeps on saying that the basic pension is to be the foundation of security for everybody - but that is shrivelling in value”
Castle was also a champion of disabled people (aided by the first ever Minister for Disabled People, Alf Morris).
They legislated for a non-contributory pension, and Mobility Allowance (later DLA, now PIP).
Carers Allowance was also introduced by Castle in 1976.
They legislated for a non-contributory pension, and Mobility Allowance (later DLA, now PIP).
Carers Allowance was also introduced by Castle in 1976.
This Saturday, 9 October 2021, Blackburn with Darwen Council will unveil a statue to Barbara Castle, who was MP for Blackburn from 1945 to 1979 🌹
Long overdue and well-deserved - Happy Birthday Barbara, born 111 years ago today
🧵ends.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan…
Long overdue and well-deserved - Happy Birthday Barbara, born 111 years ago today
🧵ends.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan…
Addendum:
@steverichards14 observes in his new book, ‘The Prime Ministers we never had’:
Barbara Castle “was excited by the benevolent potential of the state, of what government could do to make lives better”
I think that sums up her - and Labour's purpose - rather well.
@steverichards14 observes in his new book, ‘The Prime Ministers we never had’:
Barbara Castle “was excited by the benevolent potential of the state, of what government could do to make lives better”
I think that sums up her - and Labour's purpose - rather well.
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