Government Report
The Clegg Commission completes its report on pay comparability in the public sector
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1980 in Great Britain — Page 3
Explore 297 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1980.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1980
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 297 unique records.
297Unique records
3 of 8Page
36Named events on this page
22Named people on this page
9Places on this page
August
Housing Act
Sees the Housing Act 1980 receive Royal Assent.
Right to Buy
Makes right to buy a central housing policy.
Transfer
Lawrie McMenemy calls a press conference at the Potters Heron hotel, Ampfield to announce that the European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan will be joining Southampton F.C. in the forthcoming summer
Transfer
Lawrie McMenemy calls a press conference at the Potters Heron hotel, Ampfield to announce that the European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan will be joining Southampton F.C. in the forthcoming summer
Drama
Plays keyboards on Drama, giving Yes a sharper early-1980s sound.
Drama
Sings on Drama, the only Yes studio album with him as lead vocalist.
Economy of Great Britain
The registered unemployment total exceeds 2 million
Unemployment
Registered unemployment passes two million during the recession.
Constitution of Great Britain
Arranges constitutional conference business linked to the Rhodesia settlement.
September
Scary Monsters and Super Creeps
Co-produces Scary Monsters and Super Creeps, Bowie's last studio album before the 1980s pop breakthrough.
Death of John Henry Bonzo Bonham
Bonham dies, leaving Led Zeppelin unable to continue with its original line-up.
Death of John Henry Bonzo Bonham
Dies at Jimmy Page's house after rehearsals for a planned American tour.
Blizzard of Oz
With his new manager and wife Sharon, Osbourne releases the first album, "Blizzard of Ozz," with his new band, Ozzy Osbourne & Blizzard of Ozz - guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslak
Zimbabwe Settlement
Lancaster House negotiations shape the constitutional settlement leading to Zimbabwean independence.
October
Leeds United AFC
Appointed manager of Leeds United
Manager
Appointed manager of Leeds United
Conservative Conference
Rejects calls to change course at Conservative conference.
Conservative Conference
Uses the Brighton conference speech to reject a change of economic course.
Lady Not for Turning
Writes the phrase used in Thatcher's conference speech.
Speech
Tells Conservative conference that the lady's not for turning.
(Just Like) Starting Over
John Lennons first new single in more than five years, "(Just Like) Starting Over," is released
Death of Steve Peregrin Took
Death of Steve Peregrin Took
H-Block Hunger Strike
Begins the first republican hunger strike at Long Kesh.
H-Block Protest
Faces the beginning of the first H-Block hunger strike.
November
Leader of Opposition
Becomes Leader of the Opposition after winning the Labour leadership.
Deputy Leadership
Healey becomes Deputy Leader of the Labour Party following Michael Foot’s leadership victory.
Deputy Party Leader
Healey serves as Deputy Leader after Michael Foot becomes Labour leader.
Local Government Planning and Land Act
Sees the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 receive Royal Assent.
Double Fantasy
John Lennon releases "Double Fantasy" with Yoko Ono
Foolish Behaviour
Releases Foolish Behaviour, continuing his late-1970s and early-1980s commercial run.
Budget
Pensions and social security rise below inflation; National Insurance and North Sea oil taxation rise.
Inflation
Pensions and social security will increase by 1% less than inflation
National Insurance
Howe announces higher National Insurance contributions as part of the Government's fiscal measures in November 1980.
North Sea Oil Tax
Howe announces additional taxation on North Sea oil interests in the November 1980 economic statement.
Public Expenditure
Backs further restraint in public expenditure during the autumn statement.
Taxation
A new tax is introduced on North Sea oil
Churchill Memorial Lecture
Proposes a compromise approach to Britain's European Community budget dispute.
Labour Leadership Election
Healey challenges Michael Foot for the Labour leadership but narrowly loses on the second ballot.
December
Death of Patrick Chrestien Gordon Walker
Death of Patrick Chrestien Gordon Walker
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.