Major acts:
National Health Service Act 1946: made healthcare free on the basis of citizenship and need rather than the payment of fees or insurance premiums.
National Insurance Act 1946: introduced social security, in which persons of working age had to pay a weekly contribution and in return were entitled to a wide range of benefits when they could no longer work.
Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946, Electricity Act 1947, Transport Act 1947: nationalised the coal industry, electricity utilities, railways and long-distance haulage.
Town and Country Planning Act 1947: planning permission now required for land development; ownership alone no longer sufficient.
Children Act 1948: established a comprehensive childcare service, reforming services providing care to deprived and orphaned children.
Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act 1948: paid child-minders now registered and regulated; inspection regime in place to check their methods and facilities meet basic minimum standards.
National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: allowed the creation of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, gave the public rights of way and access to open land.
