Pay Freezes

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

From the Big Freeze to the Winter of Discontent

20220307

Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years.

There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent.

So in this new three-part series for BBC Radio 4, documentary-maker Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945. How did we get here? And what can our history tell us about where we might now be heading?

Our way into this story is through British winters. When workers are powerless, winter puts them under greater pressure. When they have power, winter gives them greater bargaining leverage.

In this first episode, we head back to the big freeze of 1947, when energy and labour shortages were urgent issues. We discover how, as the government grappled with all this, and with inflation, post-war British politics began to be steered by a strange, half-forgotten notion: 'incomes policy'. Why did the state intervene to encourage unions to hold down pay demands, and businesses to hold down profits? And why did anyone co-operate?

Phil traces how this approach shaped the politics of pay for decades - and how it began to break down in the 1960s, even before the winter coal strikes of 1972 and 1974, and the advent of the 'Winter of Discontent'.

Alongside this, he draws on the BBC's archive to reconstruct the long struggle to equalise men and women's pay, from satirical protests outside Parliament in the 1950s, to the impact of the ground-breaking strike by sewing machinists at Ford's Dagenham plant in 1968.

Series contributors include: Kate Bell, Margaret Beckett, Neil Carberry, John Edmonds, Stuart Hill, Linda Hoffman, Gavin Kelly, Tara Martin Lopez, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Rain Newton-Smith, Michael Portillo, Dominic Sandbrook, Stefan Stern, Selina Todd, Norman Tebbit, Nick Timothy

Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.

From the Big Freeze to the Winter of Discontent

20220307

20230201 (R4)

Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years.

There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent.

Our way into this story is through British winters. When workers are powerless, winter puts them under greater pressure. When they have power, winter gives them greater bargaining leverage.

Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.

From the Crash to Today

20220321

Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years.

There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent.

As Britain entered the new millennium, with low inflation and steady growth, all seemed well. But in this final episode, Phil traces how the impact of the Crash in 2008 laid the ground for a decade of flat-lining pay and productivity, amid political shocks and crises, culminating in Covid.

Does the post-pandemic cheering of 'key workers' - along with the furlough scheme - point towards a future of greater state intervention? Ministers from the PM down have called for a higher pay, high productivity economy in the wake of Brexit. But currently, prices are outstripping pay. Does that mean that more radical action will be needed to ease the cost of living?

Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 2008.

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.

From the Crash to Today

20220321

20230215 (R4)

Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years.

There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent.

Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 2008.

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.

From the Winter of Discontent to the Crash

20220314

Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years.

There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent.

In the second episode, Phil explores how the strikes by public sector workers - hospital staff, refuse collectors, gravediggers - created the abiding images of the 'Winter of Discontent' in January and February 1979. But how far did these strikes against the Labour government's incomes policy match their subsequent reputation?

He traces how this most controversial of pay disputes opened up a path to major changes in trade unions' legal position. But also how it began the long journey to the creation of the National Minimum Wage.

And he explores how far the marketisation of the 1980s paved the way for the acceleration of leadership pay in the 1990s, amid the proclamation of a 'War for Talent' - and campaigns against 'fat cats'.

Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain from 1979 to 2008.

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.

From the Winter of Discontent to the Crash

20220314

20230208 (R4)

Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years.

There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent.

Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain from 1979 to 2008.

Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
From the Big Freeze to the Winter of Discontent	20220307		Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years. There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent. So in this new three-part series for BBC Radio 4, documentary-maker Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945. How did we get here? And what can our history tell us about where we might now be heading? Our way into this story is through British winters. When workers are powerless, winter puts them under greater pressure. When they have power, winter gives them greater bargaining leverage. In this first episode, we head back to the big freeze of 1947, when energy and labour shortages were urgent issues. We discover how, as the government grappled with all this, and with inflation, post-war British politics began to be steered by a strange, half-forgotten notion: 'incomes policy'. Why did the state intervene to encourage unions to hold down pay demands, and businesses to hold down profits? And why did anyone co-operate? Phil traces how this approach shaped the politics of pay for decades - and how it began to break down in the 1960s, even before the winter coal strikes of 1972 and 1974, and the advent of the 'Winter of Discontent'. Alongside this, he draws on the BBC's archive to reconstruct the long struggle to equalise men and women's pay, from satirical protests outside Parliament in the 1950s, to the impact of the ground-breaking strike by sewing machinists at Ford's Dagenham plant in 1968. Series contributors include: Kate Bell, Margaret Beckett, Neil Carberry, John Edmonds, Stuart Hill, Linda Hoffman, Gavin Kelly, Tara Martin Lopez, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Rain Newton-Smith, Michael Portillo, Dominic Sandbrook, Stefan Stern, Selina Todd, Norman Tebbit, Nick Timothy Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.
From the Big Freeze to the Winter of Discontent	20220307	20230201 (R4)	Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years. There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent. So in this new three-part series for BBC Radio 4, documentary-maker Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945. How did we get here? And what can our history tell us about where we might now be heading? Our way into this story is through British winters. When workers are powerless, winter puts them under greater pressure. When they have power, winter gives them greater bargaining leverage. In this first episode, we head back to the big freeze of 1947, when energy and labour shortages were urgent issues. We discover how, as the government grappled with all this, and with inflation, post-war British politics began to be steered by a strange, half-forgotten notion: 'incomes policy'. Why did the state intervene to encourage unions to hold down pay demands, and businesses to hold down profits? And why did anyone co-operate? Phil traces how this approach shaped the politics of pay for decades - and how it began to break down in the 1960s, even before the winter coal strikes of 1972 and 1974, and the advent of the 'Winter of Discontent'. Alongside this, he draws on the BBC's archive to reconstruct the long struggle to equalise men and women's pay, from satirical protests outside Parliament in the 1950s, to the impact of the ground-breaking strike by sewing machinists at Ford's Dagenham plant in 1968. Series contributors include: Kate Bell, Margaret Beckett, Neil Carberry, John Edmonds, Stuart Hill, Linda Hoffman, Gavin Kelly, Tara Martin Lopez, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Rain Newton-Smith, Michael Portillo, Dominic Sandbrook, Stefan Stern, Selina Todd, Norman Tebbit, Nick Timothy Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.
From the Crash to Today	20220321		Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years. There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent. So in this new three-part series for BBC Radio 4, documentary-maker Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945. How did we get here? And what can our history tell us about where we might now be heading? As Britain entered the new millennium, with low inflation and steady growth, all seemed well. But in this final episode, Phil traces how the impact of the Crash in 2008 laid the ground for a decade of flat-lining pay and productivity, amid political shocks and crises, culminating in Covid. Does the post-pandemic cheering of 'key workers' - along with the furlough scheme - point towards a future of greater state intervention? Ministers from the PM down have called for a higher pay, high productivity economy in the wake of Brexit. But currently, prices are outstripping pay. Does that mean that more radical action will be needed to ease the cost of living? Series contributors include: Kate Bell, Margaret Beckett, Neil Carberry, John Edmonds, Stuart Hill, Linda Hoffman, Gavin Kelly, Tara Martin Lopez, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Rain Newton-Smith, Michael Portillo, Dominic Sandbrook, Stefan Stern, Selina Todd, Norman Tebbit, Nick Timothy Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 2008. Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.
From the Crash to Today	20220321	20230215 (R4)	Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years. There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent. So in this new three-part series for BBC Radio 4, documentary-maker Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945. How did we get here? And what can our history tell us about where we might now be heading? As Britain entered the new millennium, with low inflation and steady growth, all seemed well. But in this final episode, Phil traces how the impact of the Crash in 2008 laid the ground for a decade of flat-lining pay and productivity, amid political shocks and crises, culminating in Covid. Does the post-pandemic cheering of 'key workers' - along with the furlough scheme - point towards a future of greater state intervention? Ministers from the PM down have called for a higher pay, high productivity economy in the wake of Brexit. But currently, prices are outstripping pay. Does that mean that more radical action will be needed to ease the cost of living? Series contributors include: Kate Bell, Margaret Beckett, Neil Carberry, John Edmonds, Stuart Hill, Linda Hoffman, Gavin Kelly, Tara Martin Lopez, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Rain Newton-Smith, Michael Portillo, Dominic Sandbrook, Stefan Stern, Selina Todd, Norman Tebbit, Nick Timothy Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 2008. Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.
From the Winter of Discontent to the Crash	20220314		Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years. There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent. So in this new three-part series for BBC Radio 4, documentary-maker Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945. How did we get here? And what can our history tell us about where we might now be heading? In the second episode, Phil explores how the strikes by public sector workers - hospital staff, refuse collectors, gravediggers - created the abiding images of the 'Winter of Discontent' in January and February 1979. But how far did these strikes against the Labour government's incomes policy match their subsequent reputation? He traces how this most controversial of pay disputes opened up a path to major changes in trade unions' legal position. But also how it began the long journey to the creation of the National Minimum Wage. And he explores how far the marketisation of the 1980s paved the way for the acceleration of leadership pay in the 1990s, amid the proclamation of a 'War for Talent' - and campaigns against 'fat cats'. Series contributors include: Kate Bell, Margaret Beckett, Neil Carberry, John Edmonds, Stuart Hill, Linda Hoffman, Gavin Kelly, Tara Martin Lopez, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Rain Newton-Smith, Michael Portillo, Dominic Sandbrook, Stefan Stern, Selina Todd, Norman Tebbit, Nick Timothy Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain from 1979 to 2008. Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.
From the Winter of Discontent to the Crash	20220314	20230208 (R4)	Labour shortages and the cost of living are back as big issues for the first time in years. There are predictions that the biggest pay squeeze in decades is imminent. So in this new three-part series for BBC Radio 4, documentary-maker Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945. How did we get here? And what can our history tell us about where we might now be heading? In the second episode, Phil explores how the strikes by public sector workers - hospital staff, refuse collectors, gravediggers - created the abiding images of the 'Winter of Discontent' in January and February 1979. But how far did these strikes against the Labour government's incomes policy match their subsequent reputation? He traces how this most controversial of pay disputes opened up a path to major changes in trade unions' legal position. But also how it began the long journey to the creation of the National Minimum Wage. And he explores how far the marketisation of the 1980s paved the way for the acceleration of leadership pay in the 1990s, amid the proclamation of a 'War for Talent' - and campaigns against 'fat cats'. Series contributors include: Kate Bell, Margaret Beckett, Neil Carberry, John Edmonds, Stuart Hill, Linda Hoffman, Gavin Kelly, Tara Martin Lopez, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Rain Newton-Smith, Michael Portillo, Dominic Sandbrook, Stefan Stern, Selina Todd, Norman Tebbit, Nick Timothy Producer/ Presenter: Phil Tinline Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain from 1979 to 2008. Phil Tinline traces the ups and downs of the politics of pay in Britain since 1945.