by Bob HolmanUnlike Margaret Thatcher, David Cameron does acknowledge the existence of
poverty. The credit rests with Iain Duncan Smith whose Centre for Social
Justice (CSJ) contains staff in contact with people in deprived areas.
Yet when, in the midst of campaigning, Cameron spoke at the CSJ his title
was not Abolishing Poverty but Mending Broken Britain. The unfortunate
title implies that a body of dysfunctional families are to blame for
unemployment, adverse child behaviour, teenage parents, crime and
violence which is a symptom of a broken society.
Of course, there are families who cannot cope but the Broken Britain
analysis is weak. First, it is too sweeping. The British Crime survey
reveals that crimes of violence are falling. The number of teenage
parents is dropping.
Second, it concentrates on the poor. Cameron said nothing about the
wealthy who avoid tax and the rich who gate themselves off from local
communities.
Third, Cameron blames state welfare. He overlooks the role of private
enterprise. Two million people did not choose unemployment. Their number
multiplied when wild bankers stimulated recession.
His solution is less state welfare, stronger communities, more voluntary
bodies and resources for youth projects.
One of the great contributions of the CSJ is the identification of small
voluntary bodies. As a member of its panel, I have visited agencies
which have transformed the lives of ex-offenders, struggling parents,
unemployed people and many more. For 25 years I worked with projects
which enabled deprived young people to thrive.
Yes, voluntary bodies do need more resources. But they can never cope
with the huge numbers in poverty. Meanwhile, Cameron's plan to cut
Britains deficit by slashing public services will make matters worse.
Above all, Cameron avoids the issue of inequality. The study 'The Spirit
Level' by Professors Wilkinson and Pickett shows that unequal societies
like Britain are much more liable to poor educational performances, low
social mobility, unemployment, imprisonment, poverty, unemployment and
other social evils than more equal societies. Those at the bottom feel
excluded and react with withdrawal, depression and anger. These are the
conditions which are the cause of most social disadvantages. Britain's
problem is not being broken, it is being unequal. A massive
redistribution of incomes and wealth will not solve all problems but
they can not be effectively tackled without it.
Cameron should meet Andy Stranack of the CSJ. He lives on a council
estate with a modest income. He is standing as a Conservative against
Labour's Harriet Harman who maintains her enormous wealth. Neither
Conservatives nor Labour take equality seriously. Social workers must
get it on the public agenda.
Bob Holman is the author of Keir Hardie. Labours Greatest Hero? Lion
Hudson
was not Abolishing Poverty but Mending Broken Britain. The unfortunate
title implies that a body of dysfunctional families are to blame for
unemployment, adverse child behaviour, teenage parents, crime and
violence which is a symptom of a broken society.
Of course, there are families who cannot cope but the Broken Britain
analysis is weak. First, it is too sweeping. The British Crime survey
reveals that crimes of violence are falling. The number of teenage
parents is dropping.
Second, it concentrates on the poor. Cameron said nothing about the
wealthy who avoid tax and the rich who gate themselves off from local
communities.
Third, Cameron blames state welfare. He overlooks the role of private
enterprise. Two million people did not choose unemployment. Their number
multiplied when wild bankers stimulated recession.
His solution is less state welfare, stronger communities, more voluntary
bodies and resources for youth projects.
One of the great contributions of the CSJ is the identification of small
voluntary bodies. As a member of its panel, I have visited agencies
which have transformed the lives of ex-offenders, struggling parents,
unemployed people and many more. For 25 years I worked with projects
which enabled deprived young people to thrive.
Yes, voluntary bodies do need more resources. But they can never cope
with the huge numbers in poverty. Meanwhile, Cameron's plan to cut
Britains deficit by slashing public services will make matters worse.
Above all, Cameron avoids the issue of inequality. The study 'The Spirit
Level' by Professors Wilkinson and Pickett shows that unequal societies
like Britain are much more liable to poor educational performances, low
social mobility, unemployment, imprisonment, poverty, unemployment and
other social evils than more equal societies. Those at the bottom feel
excluded and react with withdrawal, depression and anger. These are the
conditions which are the cause of most social disadvantages. Britain's
problem is not being broken, it is being unequal. A massive
redistribution of incomes and wealth will not solve all problems but
they can not be effectively tackled without it.
Cameron should meet Andy Stranack of the CSJ. He lives on a council
estate with a modest income. He is standing as a Conservative against
Labour's Harriet Harman who maintains her enormous wealth. Neither
Conservatives nor Labour take equality seriously. Social workers must
get it on the public agenda.
Bob Holman is the author of Keir Hardie. Labours Greatest Hero? Lion
Hudson
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