The Housing (Financial Provisions) Act 1924 (14 & 15 Geo. V c. 35) was an

Act of Parliament Acts of Parliament, sometimes referred to as primary legislation, are texts of law passed by the Legislature, legislative body of a jurisdiction (often a parliament or council). In most countries with a parliamentary system of government, acts of ...

in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. The act increased government

subsidies A subsidy or government incentive is a form of financial aid or support extended to an economic sector (business, or individual) generally with the aim of promoting economic and social policy. Although commonly extended from the government, the ter ...

to be paid to

local authorities Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of public administration within a particular sovereign state. This particular usage of the word government refers specifically to a level of administration that is both geographically-loca ...

to build

municipal housing Public housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is usually owned by a government authority, either central or local. Although the common goal of public housing is to provide affordable housing, the details, terminology, d ...

for

rent Rent may refer to: Economics *Renting, an agreement where a payment is made for the temporary use of a good, service or property *Economic rent, any payment in excess of the cost of production *Rent-seeking, attempting to increase one's share of e ...

for low paid workers from £6 to £9. It also extended the time over which the subsidy was paid from 20 to 40 years. Around 508,000 houses were built under this act. The act was introduced by the first Labour government, and was known as the Wheatley Housing Act after

John Wheatley John Wheatley (19 May 1869 – 12 May 1930) was a Scottish socialist politician. He was a prominent figure of the Red Clydeside era. Early life and career Wheatley was born to Thomas and Johanna Wheatley in Bonmahon, County Waterford, Ire ...

, the minister who introduced it. According to one historical study, Wheatley’s houses had “slightly larger dimensions than Chamberlain’s,” and were also the first to be “equipped compulsorily with a bathroom instead of a bath” in the scullery.

References

*Modern Britain: Life and Work through Two Centuries of Change by T.K. Derry and T.L. Jarman

References

Further reading