Economy of Great Britain
British Prime Minister Harold Wilson endorses the I'm Backing Britain campaign for working an additional half hour each day without pay
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1968 in Great Britain
Explore 347 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1968.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1968
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 347 unique records.
347Unique records
1 of 9Page
31Named events on this page
17Named people on this page
5Places on this page
January
Defence Spending
The Government accelerates withdrawal from military commitments east of Suez to reduce future defence costs.
Education Spending
The planned increase in the school leaving age is postponed to reduce short-term public expenditure.
Prescription Charges
The Government announces the restoration of prescription charges as part of its public expenditure programme.
Public Expenditure
The Government announces major expenditure reductions to redirect resources toward exports and defend the devalued pound.
Wonderwall
George Harrison completes the recording work on the "Wonderwall" album
Tet Offensive Diplomacy
Handles British diplomacy after the Tet Offensive reshapes public debate
Defence Budget
Wilson and Healey announce carrier cuts and withdrawals from major bases east of Suez.
Devaluation
After devaluation, Wilson and Healey announce carrier cuts and withdrawals from bases east of Suez.
East of Suez
The East of Suez phrase enters political language as Labour plans withdrawal from major overseas bases.
Pink Floyd
Dave Gilmour steps in to play guitar when Syd is unable to play at Brighton
Pink Floyd
Dave Gilmour steps in to play guitar when Syd is unable to play at Brighton
Pink Floyd
Gilmour formally joins Pink Floyd as guitarist and vocalist
Public Spending Reductions
Secures Cabinet approval for substantial reductions in domestic and overseas spending.
February
The Silent Sun
Sings on The Silent Sun, the first Genesis single released through Decca.
Pulsar Discovery Publication
Publishes the discovery of rapidly pulsating radio sources with Jocelyn Bell and colleagues.
March
Pink Floyd
During a meeting at their Ladbroke Road offices, Syd is asked to stop touring and contributing material
Beatles, The
"The Lady Madonna" is released as a single with "The Inner Light" as the "B" side, the 1st Harrison composition to be released on a Beatles single
Resignation of George Brown
British Foreign Secretary George Brown resigns
Resignation of George Brown
British Foreign Secretary George Brown resigns
Foreign Secretary of Great Britain
Appointed Foreign Minister, 2nd term
Vietnam War Protest
Speaks during Vietnam War protest activity in London.
Budget
Delivers a tough Budget aimed at restoring financial confidence after devaluation.
Budget
Roy Jenkins presents a severe Budget raising approximately 923 million pounds in additional taxation.
Budget Strategy
Presents a restrictive Budget designed to reduce demand and restore financial stability.
Excise Duties
Duties on petrol, tobacco and alcoholic drinks are increased to raise revenue and restrict consumption.
Family Allowances
Family allowances are increased while child tax allowances are reduced to redirect assistance toward families with children.
Purchase Tax
Purchase tax rates are increased as part of a fiscal package designed to reduce consumer spending.
Selective Employment Tax
The Budget raises Selective Employment Tax by 50 percent to restrain domestic demand and encourage exports.
Special Charge
A one-off special charge on higher personal incomes is introduced as part of the post-devaluation programme.
Concert
Supports Donovan at the Royal Albert Hall.
April
Departure
Pink Floyd announce that Barrett has left the band
Pink Floyd
A statement is issued to the press announcing that Syd has left the band
Polka Tulk
After the dissolution of Mythology, Ward and Iommi, along with Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler, found a new band, the Polka Tulk Blues Band, later called Earth and finally renamed Black Sabbath
Polka Tulk
Tony Iommi & Bill Ward were in a band called Mythology and Geezer Butler with Ozzy in a band called Rare Breed, these groups broke up and form the Polka Tulk Blues Band.
Polka Tulk
Tony Iommi & Bill Ward were in a band called Mythology and Geezer Butler with Ozzy in a band called Rare Breed, these groups broke up and form the Polka Tulk Blues Band
Polka Tulk
Tony Iommi & Bill Ward were in a band called Mythology and Geezer Butler with Ozzy in a band called Rare Breed, these groups broke up and form the Polka Tulk Blues Band
Debora
Debora is released and reaches number 34 in the UK chart.
Dismissal from Shadow Cabinet
Edward Heath dismisses him from the Conservative shadow cabinet one day after the controversial Birmingham immigration speech.
International Monetary Fund
The Government secures further international financial support while seeking to rebuild confidence in sterling.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.