UK Rationing in World War 2

Britain has always imported food and other goods from overseas. Being an island this means that goods come into the country by ship or air. In 1939 most goods were transported to Britain by ship.

From the beginning of the war, one of Hitler's tactics against Britain was to use submarines to torpedo ships bringing supplies to Britain. This meant that imported goods were in short supply.

The government introduced rationing to make sure that everyone had a fair share of what was available.

Every man, woman and child was given a ration book for food and had to register with a grocery store. The grocery store was only given enough food for the people on their list. When someone bought rationed food, the grocer stuck a sticker in his or her ration book to show that that week's ration had been purchased.

At first only butter, sugar and bacon was rationed. By the middle of 1940 all meat, eggs, cheese, jam, tea and milk was also rationed. Clothes were rationed from June 1941 due to a shortage of raw materials and also to allow the factories and workers to concentrate on producing weapons, aircraft and ammunition for the war.

One Person's Weekly Food Allowance

4oz (113g) lard or butter

12oz (340g) sugar

4oz (113g) bacon

2 eggs

6oz (170g) meat

2oz (57g) tea

Vegetables were not rationed but were often in short supply. People who had gardens were encouraged to plant vegetables instead of flowers. The government called this 'Digging for Victory' and produced posters to persuade people that they were helping to win the war by planting vegetables.

The only fruit that was available was that grown in Britain e.g. apples, pears, and strawberries. Bananas, oranges, peaches and other imported fruit were not available at all.

Dried egg powder was available and was used to make scrambled eggs.

Clothes Rationing

Everyone was given a book of 66 coupons to use to buy new clothes for one year.

This was cut to 48 in 1942 and 36 in 1943. Each item of clothing cost a certain number of coupons.

Item Men Women Children

Raincoat 16 15 11

Overcoat 7 7 4

Jacket 13 12 8

Shirt/Blouse 5 4 3

Jumper/Cardigan 5 5 3

Trousers 8 8 6

Shorts 3 3 2

Skirt 8 6

Boots/Shoes 7 5 3

Nightdress/Pyjamas 8 6 6

Underpants/Knickers/Vest 3 3 2

Socks/Stockings 2 2 1

Second hand clothes were not rationed and children's clothes were handed down from one child to the next or sold on to other families. The government used the slogan 'Mend and Make Do' to encourage people to repair or patch torn or worn clothes.