Newspaper Article
2023.252.10
Reader question regarding war rationing after WW2 in the UK.
Name/Title
Newspaper ArticleEntry/Object ID
2023.252.10Description
A clipped newspaper article answering a reader's question about the end of rationing in the United Kingdom after WW2.Use
In January 1940, the British government introduced food rationing. The scheme was designed to ensure fair shares for all at a time of national shortage. Basic foodstuffs such as sugar, meat, fats, bacon and cheese were directly rationed by an allowance of coupons. Housewives had to register with particular retailers. A number of other items, such as tinned goods, dried fruit, cereals and biscuits, were rationed using a points system. The number of points allocated changed according to availability and consumer demand. Priority allowances of milk and eggs were given to those most in need, including children and expectant mothers. Certain key commodities were also rationed – petrol in 1939, clothes in June 1941 and soap in February 1942. The end of the war saw additional cuts. Bread, which was never rationed during wartime, was put on the ration in July 1946. It was not until the early 1950s that most commodities came ‘off the ration’. Meat was the last item to be de-rationed and food rationing ended completely in 1954. This is a typical weekly food ration for an adult: Bacon & Ham 4 oz Other meat value of 1 shilling and 2 pence (equivalent to 2 chops) Butter 2 oz Cheese 2 oz Margarine 4 oz Cooking fat 4 oz Milk 3 pints Sugar 8 oz Preserves 1 lb every 2 months Tea 2 oz Eggs 1 fresh egg (plus allowance of dried egg) Sweets 12 oz every 4 weeksCategory
Document, Personal Effects