Rationing in the UK ended completely in 1954 , when meat restrictions were lifted on 4 July 1954. Earlier parts of rationing ended in stages, with items like sweet rationing ending in 1949.

Quick scoop

  • Food rationing began in January 1940.
  • Most wartime rationing had ended by the early 1950s.
  • The final end of rationing was in 1954.

If you want, I can also give you a very short timeline of when each major rationed item ended.