ABSTRACT
The Unemployment Assistance Board began to give regular winter allowances in November 1937. The additions were given on account not only of increased need during winter but also of the rise in the prices of commodities, and they were regarded as discretionary increases to meet special circumstances. The officers of the Board were instructed to consider cases as they fell due for review, and to give special attention to "households where a substantial part, say not less than half, of the total household income is represented by the allowance from the Board". In July 1938 new draft regulations were introduced to enable the Board to grant general additions to allowances in appropriate cases on account of winter conditions as such. The National Unemployed Workers' Movement are very critical of the operation of the winter allowances regulation, and particularly of the failure of the Board to make the unemployed familiar with their rights.
