Labour government, 1974–1979

Harold Wilson, Prime Minister (1974–1976)

James Callaghan, Prime Minister (1976–1979)

The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson and then James Callaghan as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, governed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1974 until 1979. The end of Callaghan’s ministry was marked by the Winter of Discontent, a period of serious industrial discontent. This was followed by the election of Conservative Margaret Thatcher in 1979. See also First Wilson ministry for the 1964-1970 period.

Formation

After the February 1974 general election, no party had a majority of seats. The incumbent Conservative party won the popular vote, but Labour took the most seats. Edward Heath, the Conservative prime minister, attempted to negotiate a coalition with the Liberal party, but resigned as prime minister after failing in this regard. The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, then established a minority government, which took office on 4 March 1974.

It was generally recognised that this had no long-term stability, and the October 1974 general election was held, the Wilson government gaining a majority of three seats.

The economy was in recession by the time of the first election, but economic growth was re-established by 1976, although inflation which had run into double digits before Labour came to power was now above 20%. It would remain high for the rest of this government, rarely falling below 10%.

In March 1976, having just turned 60, Wilson resigned as prime minister, ending 13 years as Labour Party leader and a total of nearly eight years as prime minister. He was replaced by James Callaghan, who had held senior government roles during both of Wilson's spells as prime minister.

Within a year of Callaghan taking office, the narrow Labour majority was eliminated due to by-election defeats, prompting a vote of confidence which prevented the government's collapse and a general election from being called. In order to sustain the government, Labour formed the Lib-Lab pact in March 1977 and this remained in force for 16 months. This minority government also managed to stay in power with unofficial deals with the Ulster Unionist Party and Scottish National Party.

By September 1978, economic growth was firmly re-established and inflation was below 10%, although unemployment now stood at a postwar high of 1.5million and with most of the opinion polls showing a clear Labour lead it was widely expected that prime minister James Callaghan would call a general election that autumn, despite having another year to do so, in order to gain a majority and give his government the chance of retaining power until well into 1983.

However, he resisted these calls and Britain began 1979 with Labour still in power and Callaghan still in charge, but his failure to call a general election during the autumn of 1978 would prove to be the undoing of this Labour government.

Major contributions

Although the 1974-79 Labour Government faced a number of economic difficulties, it was nevertheless able to carry out a broad range of reforms during its time in office. During Harold Wilson's final premiership from 1974-6, a number of changes were carried out such as the introduction of new social security benefits and improvements in the rights of tenants. In March 1974, an additional £2 billion were announced for benefits, food subsidies, and housing subsidies, including a record 25% increase in the pension. Council house rents were also frozen. That same year, national insurance benefits were increased by 13%, which brought pensions as a proportion of average earnings "up to a value equivalent to the previous high, which was reached in 1965 as a result of Labour legislation." In order to maintain the real value of these benefits in the long term, the government introduced legislation which linked future increases in pensions to higher incomes or wages. In 1974–75, social spending was increased in real terms by 9%. In 1974, pensions were increased in real terms by 14%, while in early 1975 increases were made in family allowances. There were also significant increases in rate and rent subsidies, together with £500 million worth of food subsidies.

An Independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (now simply called Acas) (regarded as very much the brainchild of the trade union leader Jack Jones) was set, which according to Robert Taylor continues to provide "an impartial and impressive function in resolving disputes and encouraging good industrial relations practice." A Manpower Services Commission was set up to encourage a more active labour market policy to improve job placements and deal with unemployment. The Pay Board was abolished, while the Price Commission was provided with greater powers to control and delay price increases. In addition, the Housing Rents and Subsidies Act 1975 gave power over rents back to local authorities.

To help those with disabilities, the government introduced an Invalid Care Allowance, a Mobility Allowance, a Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension for those unable to contribute through national insurance, and other measures. To combat child poverty, legislation to create a universal Child Benefit was passed in 1975 (a reform later implemented by the Callaghan Government). To raise the living standards of those dependant on national insurance benefits, the government index-linked short-term benefits to the rate of inflation, while pensions and long-term benefits were tied to increases in prices or earnings, whichever was higher.

In 1975, a State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) was introduced. A new pension, which was inflation-proofed and linked to earnings, was added to the basic pension which was to increase in line with earnings for the first time ever. This reform assisted women by the linking of pensions to the 'twenty best years' of earnings, and those who worked at home caring for children or others were counted as contributors. This scheme was later eroded by the subsequent Thatcher Government, and insufficient pension rights had been built up by that time to establish resistance to its erosion. The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 gave women the right in principle to equal access to jobs and equal treatment at work with men, while the Employment Protection Act 1975 introduced Statutory Maternity Leave. That same year, the wage stop was finally abolished. In addition, differentials between skilled and unskilled workers were narrowed as a result of egalitarian pay policies involving flat-rate increases.

The 1975 Social Security Pensions Act provided for equal access by men and women to employers’ pension schemes and also included a home responsibilities provision ensuring that parents and those looking after elderly dependents could retain their pension rights in spite of employment breaks. As a means of combating sex discrimination within the social security system, the Act provided that in future married women would receive the same level of personal sickness or unemployment benefit. The Housing Finance Act 1974 increased aid to local authorities for slum clearance, introduced a system of "fair rents" in public and private sector unfurnished accommodation, and introduced rent rebates for council tenants. The Housing Act 1974 improved the Renovation Grants scheme, provided increased levels of aid to housing associations, and extended the role of the Housing Corporation. The Rent Act 1974 extended security of tenure to tenants of furnished properties and allowed access to rent tribunals. The Community Land Act 1975 allowed for the taking into public control of development land, while the Child Benefits Act 1975 introduced an extra payment for lone parents. A Resource Allocation Working Party (RAWP) was also set up to produce a formula for a more equitable distribution of health care expenditure. Anthony Crosland, while serving as a minister during Wilson's second government, made a decision to reform the level of Rate Support Grant, introducing a standard level of relief across the country to benefit poorer urban areas.

Circular 4/74 (1974) renewed pressure for moves towards comprehensive education (progress of which had stalled under the Heath Government), while the industrial relations legislation passed under Edward Heath was repealed. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 set up a Health and Safety Commission and Executive and a legal framework for health and safety at work. The Employment Protection Act 1975 set up the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Services (ACAS) to arbitrate in industrial disputes, enlarged the rights of employees and trade unions, extended the redundancy payments scheme, and provided redress against unfair dismissal. The legislation also provided for paid maternity leave and outlawed dismissal for pregnancy. The Act also obliged employers to pay their workers a minimum guaranteed payment “if they are laid off through no fault of their own.” The Social Security Act 1975 introduced a maternity allowance fund, while the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 set up an Equal Opportunities Commission and outlawed gender discrimination (both indirect and direct). In addition, the Social Security Act of 1975 included progressive noise-induced hearing loss “in the list of prescribed diseases covered by the Industrial Injuries Scheme as Occupational Deafness.”

The Woodworking Machines Regulations 1974, replacing the 1922 Regulations, came into operation on in November 1974. These regulations raised the standard of guarding of the most dangerous machines. Improvements were made in mine-workers' pensions, while the Coal Mines (Respirable Dust) Regulations 1975, which came into operation in October that year, were aimed at reducing the incidence of coal miners' pneumoconiosis. They prescribed permitted amounts of respirable dust at workplaces in coal mines as well as arrangements for the suppression and continuous sampling of dust, and they include a scheme for the medical supervision of workers at risk. The Protection of Eyes Regulations 1974 and 1975, replacing the 1938 Regulations, extended protection to those employed on construction sites as well as in factories. In addition, the Policyholders Protection Act 1975 introduced safeguards for customers of failed insurance companies.

Wilson's successor Callaghan, together with his ministers, also introduced a number of reforms during their time in office. The Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 gave every person over the age of 16, whose resources were not enough to meet his or her basic needs, the right to claim a supplementary pension if he or she had reached state-pension age, and a supplementary allowance if he or she was less than this age. The Rent (Agricultural) Act 1976 provided security of tenure for agricultural workers in tied accommodation, while the Bail Act 1976 reformed bail conditions with courts having to explain refusal of bail. The Police Act 1976 set up a Police Complaints Board "to formalise the procedure for dealing with public complaints." The Education Act 1976 limited the taking up of independent and Direct grant school places and required all local authorities who had failed to do so "to submit proposals for comprehensive schools," while the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 extended local council responsibility "to provide accommodation for homeless people in their area," and instituted the right of homeless families to a permanent local council tenancy. In addition, efforts were made under the Environment Secretary Peter Shore to redistribute resources toward deprived urban areas. The Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 allowed local authorities to assist declining industrial areas and central government provided new subsidies to those inner city areas with the most problems, while the 1978 Finance Act introduced profit-sharing schemes. In April 1976, a Child Interim Benefit for single-parent families was introduced, followed by a universal Child Benefit scheme the following year.

The Callaghan Government also introduced a range of measures aimed at moderating pressures for wage rises and to create a favourable climate “for an orderly restoration of collective bargaining.” These included the granting of family income supplements to bring the incomes of lower-paid workers up to the level of social security benefits, the lowering of marginal tax rates on smaller incomes by rises in personal allowances, and increases in children’s allowances (which were payable to the mother). However, child tax allowances were lowered, which had the effect of reducing the take home pay of fathers. The impact of consumer price rises was also mitigated by higher income limits for free school meals, an increased milk subsidy, and a substantial reduction in the duty on petrol. In addition, electricity prices were lowered for families in receipt of supplementary benefits.

The Training Opportunities Scheme, under which more than 90 000 people completed their training in 1976 and which catered mainly for people over 19 years old, was extended during 1977 to include provisions for training persons for self-employment. In addition, technician training was extended and the network of skillcentres continued to expand. In August 1977, a scheme for voluntary early retirement was introduced in the coal industry for men aged 62 or more with 20 or more year's underground service, with weekly payments up to normal pensionable age. In January 1977, unions became authorized to lodge a claim on behalf of workers with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service for an improvement in terms and conditions of employment on the grounds that existing terms and conditions were less favourable than the relevant recognized terms and conditions for the trade in the area or, where these did not exist, the general level. In February, sections of the Employment Act 1975 were brought into operation dealing with the qualifying hours for part-time work, thereby entitling large numbers of part-time workers to the same rights and job security as full-time workers. Also in February, employees became entitled to receive guarantee payments from their employers when laid off or on short time, while in April sections of the 1975 Employment Act were activated giving employees the right to paid time off work in order to perform certain public duties. The main provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 came into force in June 1977, making it unlawful for an employer to discriminate in recruitment or dismissal or in the treatment of existing employees in matters of promotion, transfer, training or other benefits on the grounds of nationality, race, colour, colour, or ethic or national origins. A Commission for Racial Equality was established to work towards the elimination of discrimination the promotion of equality of opportunity, and good relations between persons of different racial groups.

In Scotland, the Community Service by Offenders Act 1978 introduced provisions whereby offenders might, under certain circumstances, be ordered by courts to undertake community work as an alternative to a prison sentence. This legislation brought Scotland in line with England and Wales where similar provisions already apply. The Mines (Precautions Against Inrushes) Regulations 1979 applied to all types of mines and made provision for measures to be taken against the hazard of inrushes of water or gas or material which flows when wet.

In housing policy, a shift of emphasis in housing policy towards rehabilitation was evident in the further increase in the number of General Improvement Areas and the number of Housing Action Areas declared. An Act of March 1977 makes provision, for a limited period, for benefits to be paid from the age of 64 to workers who agree to retire in order to free jobs for young unemployed people. A number of other improvements were introduced in 1977, with Attendance Allowances extended to cover handicapped foster children and non-contributory disablement pensions extended to married women whose invalidity prevented them from carrying out their household tasks. In January 1977, regulations were issued which brought about a change in the administration of legislation governing fire precautions at places of work. Under these regulations the Health and Safety Executive retained full responsibility for fire safety in certain 'special' premises such as nuclear installations, coalmines and chemical plants, whereas responsibility for general fire precautions at places of work was transferred to local fire authorities. In July 1977, an experimental Job Introduction Scheme was introduced to provide financial assistance enabling certain disabled people to undertake a trial period of employment with an employer, where there was reasonable doubt as to the person’s ability to perform a particular job. In July 1978, a revised and simplified scheme designed to assist severely disabled people with their travel-to-work costs was introduced.

The Safety Representatives and Committees Regulations of 1977 made provision for recognised trade unions to appoint health and safety representatives “and gave such representatives rights to representation and consultation on health and safety as well as rights to access to training and facilities to support them in undertaking these tasks.” The Homes Insulation Act 1978 provided for grants to occupiers towards the cost of thermal insulation of their dwellings, while under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations recognized trade unions were allowed to appoint safety representatives who would have certain rights and functions. As part of an extension in external consultation on the prevention of industrial accidents and occupationally induced diseases the Health and Safety Commission established three Industry Advisory Committees for construction, railways and oil and regulations were issued in March 1978 dealing with the packaging and labelling of some 800 dangerous chemicals commonly used at work and in the home. Improvements to the Mineworkers Sick Pay Scheme were also introduced from 1978, with improvement in the formula for calculating benefit improved and the period of 'waiting days' reduced from seven to three. The Home Purchase Assistance and Housing Corporation Guarantee Act 1978, gave help to first-time home buyers. The Consumer Safety Act 1978 protected consumers from purchasing potentially harmful goods, while the 1979 Credit Unions Act, the last piece of legislation passed by the Labour government, set up a legal structure for credit unions.

Fate

With strikes affecting Britain during the Winter of Discontent (late 1978/early 1979) and inflation back in double digits, the loss of a vote of no confidence in 1979 precipitated a General Election, which the Conservatives won - with their leader Margaret Thatcher becoming Britain's first female prime minister.

James Callaghan would continue to lead Labour in opposition for 18 months before stepping down to make way for Michael Foot. He remained in parliament until stepping down at the 1987 general election, having served in parliament for 42 years.

Cabinets

Wilson's Cabinet, March 1974 – April 1976

OFFICE	NAME	TERM
Prime Minister First Lord of the Treasury Minister for the Civil Service	Harold Wilson	1974–1976
Chancellor of the Exchequer	Denis Healey	1974–1976
Lord Chancellor	The Lord Elwyn-Jones	1974–1976
Lord President of the Council	Edward Short	1974–1976
Lord Privy Seal	The Lord Shepherd	1974–1976
Foreign Secretary	James Callaghan	1974–1976
Home Secretary	Roy Jenkins	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Defence	Roy Mason	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Education and Science	Reg Prentice	1974–1975
	Fred Mulley	1975–1976
Secretary of State for Employment	Michael Foot	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Energy	Eric Varley	1974–1975
	Tony Benn	1975–1976
Secretary of State for the Environment	Anthony Crosland	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Social Services	Barbara Castle	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Industry	Tony Benn	1974–1975
	Eric Varley	1975–1976
Minister for Overseas Development	Reg Prentice	1975–1976
Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection	Shirley Williams	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Trade	Peter Shore	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Transport	William Rodgers	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Scotland	William Ross	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Wales	John Morris	1974–1976
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	Merlyn Rees	1974–1976
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster	Harold Lever	1974–1976
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury	Robert Mellish	1974–1976
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Fred Peart	1974–1976
Minister for Planning and Local Government	John Silkin	1974–1976

Callaghan’s Cabinet, April 1976 – May 1979

OFFICE	NAME	TERM
Prime Minister First Lord of the Treasury Minister for the Civil Service	James Callaghan	1976–1979
Chancellor of the Exchequer	Denis Healey	1976–1979
Lord Chancellor	The Lord Elwyn-Jones	1976–1979
Lord President of the Council	Michael Foot	1976–1979
Lord Privy Seal	The Lord Shepherd	1976
	The Lord Peart	1976–1979
Foreign Secretary	Anthony Crosland	1976–1977
	David Owen	1977–1979
Home Secretary	Roy Jenkins	1976
	Merlyn Rees	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Defence	Roy Mason	1976
	Fred Mulley	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Education and Science	Fred Mulley	1976
	Shirley Williams	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Employment	Albert Booth	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Energy	Tony Benn	1976–1979
Secretary of State for the Environment	Peter Shore	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Social Services	David Ennals	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Industry	Eric Varley	1976–1979
Minister for Overseas Development	Reginald Prentice	1976
Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection	Shirley Williams	1976
	Roy Hattersley	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Trade	Edmund Dell	1976–1978
	John Smith	1978–1979
Secretary of State for Transport	Bill Rodgers	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Scotland	Bruce Millan	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Wales	John Morris	1976–1979
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	Merlyn Rees	1976
	Roy Mason	1976–1979
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster	Harold Lever	1976–1979
Chief Secretary to the Treasury	Joel Barnett	1977–1979
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Fred Peart	1976
	John Silkin	1976–1979
Minister for Social Security	Stanley Orme	1976–1979
Minister for Local Government and Planning	John Silkin	1976

Full List of Ministers

Members of the Cabinet are in bold face.

Office	Name	Dates	Notes
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service	Harold Wilson	4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976
	James Callaghan	5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
Minister of State, Civil Service Department	Robert Sheldon	7 March 1974
	Charles Morris	18 October 1974
Parliamentary Secretary, Civil Service Department	John Grant	7 March 1974 – 18 October 1974
Lord Chancellor	The Lord Elwyn-Jones	5 March 1974
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons	Edward Short	5 March 1974
	Michael Foot	8 April 1976
Minister of State for the Privy Council Office	Gerald Fowler	18 October 1974
	The Lord Crowther-Hunt	23 January 1976
	John Smith	8 April 1976
	The Baroness Birk	3 January 1979
Parliamentary Secretary to the Privy Council Office	William Price	18 October 1974
Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords	The Lord Shepherd	7 March 1974
	The Lord Peart	10 September 1976
Chancellor of the Exchequer	Denis Healey	5 March 1974
Chief Secretary to the Treasury	Joel Barnett	7 March 1974	In Cabinet from Feb 1977
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury	Robert Mellish	5 March 1974
	Michael Cocks	8 April 1976
Financial Secretary to the Treasury	John Gilbert	7 March 1974
	Robert Sheldon	17 June 1975
Minister of State, Treasury	Robert Sheldon	18 October 1974
	Denzil Davies	17 June 1975
Lords of the Treasury	Donald Coleman	8 March 1974 – 6 July 1978
	James Dunn	8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976
	John Golding	8 March 1974 – 18 October 1974
	Tom Pendry	8 March 1974 – 18 January 1977
	James Hamilton	8 March 1974 – 28 June 1974
	Michael Cocks	28 June 1974 – 8 April 1976
	Jack Dormand	18 October 1974 – 4 May 1979
	David Stoddart	4 April 1976 – 18 November 1977
	Edward Graham	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	Tom Cox	19 January 1977 – 4 May 1979
	Peter Snape	23 November 1977 – 4 May 1979
	Albert Stallard	5 July 1978 – 17 January 1979
	Alfred Bates	17 January 1979 – 4 May 1979
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs	James Callaghan	5 March 1974
	Anthony Crosland	8 April 1976
	David Owen	21 February 1977
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs	David Ennals	7 March 1974 – 8 April 1976
	Roy Hattersley	7 March 1974 – 10 September 1976
	The Lord Goronwy-Roberts	4 December 1975 – 4 May 1979
	Ted Rowlands	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	David Owen	10 September 1976 – 21 February 1977
	Frank Judd	21 February 1977 – 4 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs	Joan Lestor	8 March 1974 – 12 June 1975
	The Lord Goronwy-Roberts	8 March 1974 – 4 December 1975
	Ted Rowlands	12 June 1975 – 14 April 1976
	John Tomlinson	17 March 1976 – 4 May 1979	Also Overseas Development
	Evan Luard	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
Minister for Overseas Development	Judith Hart	7 April 1974	Subordinated to Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 10 June 1975
Minister of Overseas Development	Reginald Prentice	10 June 1975
	Frank Judd	21 December 1976
	Judith Hart	21 February 1977
Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development	William Price	11 March 1974
	John Grant	18 October 1974
	Frank Judd	14 April 1976
	John Tomlinson	3 January 1977
Secretary of State for the Home Department	Roy Jenkins	5 March 1974
	Merlyn Rees	10 September 1976
Minister of State for Home Affairs	The Lord Harris	8 March 1974 – 3 January 1979
	Alex Lyon	8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976
	Brynmor John	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	The Lord Boston	3 January 1979 – 4 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs	Shirley Summerskill	8 March 1974
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Fred Peart	5 March 1974
	John Silkin	10 September 1976
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Norman Buchan	8 March 1974
	Edward Stanley Bishop	18 October 1974
Parliamentary Secretary to Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Roland Moyle	11 March 1974
	Edward Stanley Bishop	28 June 1974
	Gavin Strang	18 October 1974
Secretary of State for Defence	Roy Mason	4 March 1974
	Frederick Mulley	10 September 1976
Minister of State for Defence	William Rodgers	4 March 1974
	John Gilbert	10 September 1976
Under-Secretary of State for the Navy	Frank Judd	8 March 1974
	Patrick Duffy	14 April 1976
Under-Secretary of State for the Air Force	Brynmor John	8 March 1974
	James Wellbeloved	14 April 1976
Under-Secretary of State for the Army	Desmond Brayley	4 March 1974
	Robert Brown	18 October 1974
Secretary of State for Education and Science	Reginald Prentice	5 March 1974
	Frederick Mulley	10 June 1975
	Shirley Williams	10 September 1976
Minister of State, Education and Science	Gerald Fowler	8 March 1974
	Norman Crowther Hunt	18 October 1974
	Gerald Fowler	23 January 1976
	Gordon Oakes	10 September 1976
	Janet Young	7 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State, Education and Science	Ernest Armstrong	7 March 1974
	Joan Lestor	12 June 1975
	Margaret Jackson	12 March 1976
Secretary of State for Employment	Michael Foot	5 March 1974
	Albert Booth	8 April 1976
Minister of State, Employment	Albert Booth	8 March 1976
	Harold Walker	14 April 1976
Under-Secretary of State, Employment	John Fraser	8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976
	Harold Walker	8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976
	John Golding	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	John Grant	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
Secretary of State for Energy	Eric Varley	5 March 1974
	Tony Benn	10 May 1975
Minister of State, Energy	Thomas Balogh	7 March 1974
	John Smith	4 December 1975
	Dickson Mabon	14 April 1976
Under-Secretary of State, Energy	Gavin Strang	7 March 1974 – 18 October 1974
	Alex Eadie	7 March 1974 – 4 May 1979
	John Smith	18 October 1974 – 4 December 1975
	The Lord Lovell-Davis	4 December 1975 – 14 April 1976
	Gordon Oakes	14 April 1976 – 10 September 1976
	Jack Cunningham	10 September 1976 – 4 May 1979
Secretary of State for the Environment	Anthony Crosland	5 March 1974
	Peter Shore	8 April 1976
Minister of State, Urban Affairs	Charles Morris	7 March 1974 – 18 October 1974
Minister of State (Sport, Recreation and Water Resources)	Denis Howell	7 March 1974 – 4 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State, Environment	Gerald Kaufman	8 March 1974 – 12 June 1975
	Neil Carmichael	8 March 1974 – 4 December 1975
	Gordon Oakes	8 March 1974 – 14 April 1976
	Alma Birk	18 October 1974 – 3 January 1979
	Ernest Armstrong	12 June 1975 – 4 May 1979
	Guy Barnett	5 December 1975 – 4 May 1979
	Kenneth Marks	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	Phyllis Stedman	3 January 1979 – 4 May 1979
Minister for Planning and Local Government	John Silkin	7 March 1974	In Cabinet from 18 October 1974. Office abolished 10 September 1976
Minister for Transport	Fred Mulley	7 March 1974
	John Gilbert	12 June 1975	Separate department and Cabinet Minister from 10 September 1976
Minister for Housing and Construction	Reg Freeson	7 March 1974
Secretary of State for Social Services	Barbara Castle	5 March 1974
	David Ennals	8 April 1976
Minister of State, Health and Social Security	Brian O'Malley	8 March 1974 – 6 April 1976
	David Owen	26 July 1974 – 10 September 1976
	Stan Orme	8 April 1976 – 4 May 1979	In Cabinet as Minister for Social Security from 10 September 1976
	Roland Moyle	10 September 1976 – 4 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social Security	David Owen	8 March 1974 – 26 July 1974
	Robert Brown	8 March 1974 – 18 October 1974
	Alec Jones	18 October 1974 – 12 June 1975
	Michael Meacher	12 June 1975 – 14 April 1976
	Eric Deakins	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	The Lord Wells-Pestell	3 January 1979 – 4 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State, Disabled Industry	Alf Morris	11 March 1974 – 4 May 1979
Secretary of State for Industry	Tony Benn	5 March 1974	Also Minister for Posts and Telecommunications 7–29 March 1974
	Eric Varley	10 June 1975
Minister of State, Industry	Eric Heffer	7 March 1974 – 9 April 1975
	The Lord Beswick	11 March 1974 – 4 December 1975
	Gerald Kaufman	4 December 1975 – 14 April 1976
	Alan Williams	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State, Industry	Gregor Mackenzie	7 March 1974 – 10 June 1975
	Michael Meacher	7 March 1974 – 12 June 1975
	Gerald Kaufman	12 June 1975 – 4 December 1975
	The Lord Melchett	4 December 1975 – 10 September 1976
	Neil Carmichael	4 December 1975 – 14 April 1976
	Les Huckfield	4 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	Bob Cryer	10 September 1976 – 20 November 1978
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster	Harold Lever	5 March 1974
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	Merlyn Rees	5 March 1974
	Roy Mason	10 September 1976
Minister of State, Northern Ireland	Stan Orme	7 March 1974 – 8 April 1976
	Roland Moyle	27 June 1974 – 10 September 1976
	Don Concannon	14 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	The Lord Melchett	10 September 1976 – 4 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland	The Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge	4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976
	Don Concannon	27 June 1974 – 5 April 1976
	James Dunn	5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	Raymond Carter	5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
	Tom Pendry	11 November 1978 – 4 May 1979
Paymaster General	Edmund Dell	7 March 1974
	Shirley Williams	5 April 1976
Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection	Shirley Williams	4 March 1974
	Roy Hattersley	10 September 1976
Minister of State, Prices and Consumer Protection	Alan Williams	4 March 1974
	John Fraser	5 April 1976
Under-Secretary of State, Prices and Consumer Protection	Robert Maclennan	4 March 1974
Secretary of State for Scotland	William Ross	4 March 1974
	Bruce Millan	5 April 1976
Minister of State for Scotland	Bruce Millan	4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976
	The Lord Hughes	4 March 1974 – 8 August 1975
	The Lord Kirkhill	8 August 1975 – 15 December 1978
	Gregor Mackenzie	5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
Under-Secretary of State for Scotland	Robert Hughes	4 March 1974 – 22 July 1975
	Hugh Brown	27 June 1974 – 4 May 1979
	Harry Ewing	18 October 1974 – 4 May 1979
	Frank McElhone	22 July 1975 – 4 May 1979
Secretary of State for Trade	Peter Shore	4 March 1974
	Edmund Dell	5 April 1976
	John Smith	11 November 1978
Under-Secretary of State for Trade	Eric Deakins	4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976
	Clinton Davis	4 March 1974 – 4 May 1979
	Michael Meacher	5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979
Secretary of State for Transport	William Rodgers	10 September 1976
Under-Secretary of State for Transport	John Horam	10 September 1976
Secretary of State for Wales	John Morris	4 March 1974
Under-Secretary of State for Wales	Ted Rowlands	4 March 1974 – 12 June 1975
	Barry Jones	4 March 1974 – 4 May 1979
	Alec Jones	12 June 1975 – 4 May 1979
Attorney General	Samuel Silkin	4 March 1974
Solicitor General	Peter Archer	4 March 1974
Parliamentary Secretary to the Law Officers	Arthur Davidson	4 March 1974
Lord Advocate	Ronald King Murray	4 March 1974
Solicitor General for Scotland	John McCluskey	4 March 1974
Treasurer of the Household	Walter Harrison	4 March 1974
Comptroller of the Household	Joseph Harper	4 March 1974
	James Hamilton	6 July 1978
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household	Don Concannon	4 March 1974
	James Hamilton	27 June 1974
	Donald Coleman	6 July 1978
Captain of the Gentlemen at Arms	The Baroness Llewellyn-Davies	4 March 1974
Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard	The Lord Strabolgi	4 March 1974
Lords-in-Waiting	The Lord Jacques	4 March 1974 – 19 January 1977, 11 January 1979 – 4 May 1979
	The Lord Garnsworthy	4 March 1974 – 4 September 1974
	The Baroness Birk	4 March 1974 – 18 October 1974
	The Lord Wells-Pestell	4 March 1974 – 11 January 1979
	The Lord Winterbottom	18 October 1974 – 27 October 1978
	The Lord Lovell-Davis	18 October 1974 – 4 December 1975
	The Lord Melchett	18 October 1974 – 4 December 1975
	The Baroness Stedman	4 December 1975 – 11 January 1979
	The Lord Oram	23 January 1976 – 23 March 1978
	The Lord Wallace of Coslany	19 January 1977 – 4 May 1979
	The Lord Leonard	27 October 1978 – 4 May 1979
	The Baroness David of Romsey	27 October 1978 – 4 May 1979

References

• D. Butler and G. Butler, Twentieth Century British Political Facts 1900-2000

• "British Cabinet and Government Membership". Retrieved 20 November 2007.