The Ministry of Reconstruction was originally established by the Lloyd George government of 1917 and covered a wide range of political and social areas, including: It was led by Christopher Addison and was "charged with overseeing the task of rebuilding 'the national life on a better and more durable foundation' once the Great War was over.
[3] The Ministry addressed the issues of prolonged strike action by workers, many of whom were demobilised troops.
2.4 million British workers were involved in strike action in 1919,[2] in what the government perceived as a threat to the development of the economy.
The second Ministry of Reconstruction was established in November 1943 and abolished in July 1945 and for its duration was under the political leadership of Lord Woolton.
It replaced the Reconstruction Secretariat which had been the political responsibility of Arthur Greenwood, minister without portfolio in the War Cabinet.