The Conscript Army: A Study of Britain's Unemployed(Routledge Revivals)

Originally published in 1977, this book was written at a time when unemployment figures in Britain were at their highest since the Depression of the 1930s, with 1.5 million people out of work. Beginning with a careful examination of what the unemployment figures do and do not tell, the book argues that official figures underestimated the numbers of unemployed. Discussion then turns to the people who were most likely to be unemployed, the myths about those out of work and the massive checks to prevent people wrongly claiming benefit. Case studies from groups of families in Liverpool illustrate what unemployment means in practice and shows to what extent unemployment leads to poverty while having little effect on rising prices. The author and contributors outline proposals for a policy of returning to full employment, which, they maintained, required the introduction of protectionist economic policies such as import controls: an idea which has found traction again in global 21st century politics.

Introduction: Frank Field 1. Making Sense of the Unemployment Figures Frank Field 2. Who Are the Unemployed? Louie Burghes 3. Unemployment and Poverty Frank Field 4. Control Measures Against Abuse Frank Field 5. Poverty and Unemployment in Liverpool Clare Dennehy and Jill Sullivan 6. The Cost of Unemployment Louie Burghes and Frank Field 7. What Price Unemployment? Chris Pond 8. Causes of Unemployment Steve Hannah 9. Government Action Against Unemployment Frank Field and Stephen Winyard 10. The Return to Full Employment Frank Field.

Frank Field (1942–2024) was the most independent-minded member of Parliament of his time, genuinely prepared to stand alone on a number of crucial issues. He was also a devout churchman who was motivated in his politics by that faith, especially in a commitment to the poorest people in society. His commitment in that direction was shown early in his work for the Child Poverty Action Group, which he directed from 1969 to 1979. He was a Member of Parliament for Birkenhead for 40 years.

Original Reviews of The Conscript Army:

‘Not the least of the qualities of this book is that its objective and restrained approach does not obscure the obvious concern and commitment of the writers to focus public attention on the issues posed.’ Phyllis Willmott, The Times Literary Supplement

‘Each essay is clearly and powerfully argued…’ A. Deacon, Journal of Social Policy, Volume 8, Issue 1, (1979).