Expanding the welfare state Two major programmes that permanently expanded the welfare state passed in 1919 and 1920 with surprisingly little debate, even as the Conservatives dominated parliament. The Housing, Town Planning, &c. Act 1919 set up a system of government housing that followed the 1918 campaign promises of "homes fit for heroes." This "Addison Act", named after the first Minister of Health, Christopher Addison, required local authorities to survey their housing needs and start building houses to replace slums. The Treasury subsidized the low rents. In England and Wales 214,000 houses were built, and the Ministry of Health became largely a ministry of housing.
Expanding the welfare state Two major programmes that permanently expanded the welfare state passed in 1919 and 1920 with surprisingly little debate even as the Conservatives dominated parliament The Housing Town Planning &c Act 1919 set up a system of government housing that followed the 1918 campaign promises of "homes fit for heroes" This "Addison Act" named after the first Minister of Health Christopher Addison required local authorities to survey their housing needs and start building houses to replace slums The Treasury subsidized the low rents In England and Wales 214000 houses were built and the Ministry of Health became largely a ministry of housing