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The Postwar Restructuring of the British Housing and Labour Markets: A Critical Comment on Thorns

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  • C Hamnett

    (Faculty of Social Science, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, England)

Abstract

In a recent paper in this journal, Thorns sought to relate together changes in the labour and domestic property markets in Britain since World War II. He argued that it was important to analyse the operation of these markets and the extent to which they operate to reinforce social inequalities. In this paper, it is argued that, although the issues Thorns raises are important ones, his analysis and conclusions are marred by his treatment of regional differences and trends in the rate of house price inflation over time. By generalising from data over a single year, Thorns sought to show that there was a strong link between the gains received from the labour market and those from the domestic property market. Although there is no evidence at the regional level to support Thorns's assertions regarding the growth of interregional differentials in average house prices over time (if anything the evidence shows the reverse), it is suggested that the regional scale may not be the most appropriate scale of analysis, and some evidence is presented which indicates the possibility of growing inner-city/suburban differentials. Finally, it is argued that the concentration on owner occupiers may well obscure the equally, if not more important, changes which are occurring in the distribution of owner occupiers and council tenants. It is argued that there is a growing social and spatial polarisation between the two main tenures at the intraurban level; some evidence from London is presented to support this.

Suggested Citation

  • C Hamnett, 1984. "The Postwar Restructuring of the British Housing and Labour Markets: A Critical Comment on Thorns," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 16(2), pages 147-161, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:16:y:1984:i:2:p:147-161
    DOI: 10.1068/a160147
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chris Hamnett, 1984. "Housing the Two Nations: Socio-Tenurial Polarization in England and Wales, 1961-81," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 21(4), pages 389-405, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Judith Yates, 1989. "Housing Policy Reform: A Constructive Critique," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 26(4), pages 419-433, August.
    2. C Jones & D Maclennan, 1991. "Urban Growth and Housing-Market Change: Aberdeen 1968 to 1978," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 23(4), pages 571-590, April.
    3. R Forrest & P Williams, 1984. "Commodification and Housing: Emerging Issues and Contradictions," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 16(9), pages 1163-1180, September.

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