1983–7: The Tempo Mounts

Abstract

The 1983 Conservative manifesto may have been a mild document as far as social policy was concerned, but in fact the pace of change intensified during the years of Mrs Thatcher’s second administration. A major — though not profoundly radical — reform of social security was enacted in 1986. The Greater London and Metropolitan County Councils were abolished. The powers of local government — particularly over their spending — continued to be clipped, and a drastic recasting of local government finance was put forward, although it was not enacted until the next Parliament. The school examination system at sixteen was recast. The Burnham system of paying teachers was abolished. The way was paved for the major changes of the 1988 Education Reform Act. An independent prosecution service was created. In the health service a system of accountable general managers was introduced, and a stir was caused by the decision in 1985 to limit somewhat doctors’ freedom to prescribe what drugs they chose, when cheaper alternatives were available.