Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

A group of modern women go back in time to 1983 to learn how an unsung army of female workers fought to keep their jobs in the face of foreign competition. Hosted by Alex Jones.

It is 1983 and for our women it is all big shoulder pads and back-combed hair. Annie Lennox and Bonnie Taylor are topping the charts and Britain's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, has been returned to power in a landslide victory for the Conservatives. Women had battled throughout the 70s to win equality in the workplace, and whilst many of those battles had been won, in law at least, they now had another fight on their hands - the fight to hang on to their jobs.

With the change in government in 1979 had come a dramatic change in economic policy - the Tory government wanted businesses to stand on their own two feet without subsidies and the early 80s saw a slump in manufacturing across Britain. Those factories that did manage to stay open were facing a battle against the steady march of globalisation and cheap labour abroad. On the factory floor, in this era of cutbacks, our modern workers face harsh new targets if they are to hang on to their jobs. They are tasked with producing a velour tracksuit, the height of fashion in the early 80s.

After the sky-high inflation and soaring prices of the 70s, by 1983 inflation had been curbed to a 15-year low of 4%, but unemployment had rocketed - with more than 3 million people in Britain out of work. In their typical 80s valleys' home Emma, Jason, Angelea and Tamara Brabon will have to adapt to the new economic reality. But it is not all doom and gloom. With welcome distractions in the form of aerobics, lingerie parties and nights in singing along to Top of the Pops, our feisty factory girls take on the 80s in style. The modern-day workers will chart just how far we have come in 50 years.

59 minutes

Last on

Thu 7 Sep 2023 15:30
主播大秀 Two

More episodes

Previous

Episode 3Series 1

Next

Episode 5Series 1

See all episodes from Back in Time for the Factory

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:02

    Men Without Hats

    The Safety Dance

  • 00:04

    New Order

    Blue Monday

  • 00:04

    The Police

    Every Breath You Take

  • 00:06

    The Cure

    The Love Cats

  • 00:06

    Dexys Midnight Runners

    Come On Eileen

  • 00:07

    Dexys Midnight Runners

    Come On Eileen

  • 00:12

    David Bowie

    China Girl

  • 00:14

    Elton John

    I'm Still Standing

  • 00:16

    Pretenders

    Back On The Chain Gang

  • 00:17

    Spandau Ballet

    True

  • 00:19

    Olivia Newton鈥怞ohn

    Physical

  • 00:21

    Joe Jackson

    Breaking Us In Two

  • 00:24

    The Human League

    Fascination (Keep Feeling)

  • 00:24

    The Human League

    Fascination (Keep Feeling)

  • 00:30

    Men at Work

    Down Under

  • 00:31

    Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

    Shame On The Moon

  • 00:33

    Toto

    I Won't Hold You Back (Album Version)

  • 00:35

    Thompson Twins

    Hold Me Now

  • 00:36

    Madonna

    Material Girl

  • 00:50

    Duran Duran

    Is There Something I Should Know?

  • 00:37

    Fun Boy Three

    Our Lips Are Sealed

  • 00:41

    Bonnie Tyler

    Total Eclipse Of The Heart

  • 00:42

    Phil Collins

    You Can't Hurry Love

  • 00:43

    Men at Work

    Overkill (Album Version)

  • 00:45

    Heaven 17

    Temptation

  • 00:46

    Toto

    Africa

  • 00:46

    Toto

    Africa

  • 00:47

    Culture Club

    Karma Chameleon

  • 00:49

    Level 42

    The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)

  • 00:52

    Yazoo

    Only You

  • 00:52

    Yazoo

    Only You

  • 00:52

    Yazoo

    Only You

  • 00:53

    Nelly

    N Dey Say

  • 00:54

    Spandau Ballet

    True

Credits

Presenter Alex Jones
Series Producer Catrin Griffith
Production Company Wall to Wall Media

Broadcasts