Last
week, think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) published
its Condition of Britain report.
It’s
an important contribution to the debate about how to build a better society in
tough times. It sets out some valuable principles for reform around devolving
power, rewarding contribution, and building institutions.
We’re
in an economy where a minority are doing very well, but the majority are
finding the household budget more difficult to balance than it was five years
ago as price increases have outstripped income changes. In addition, there is a
significant part of the population who see themselves as locked out of the
opportunities available to the rest. That gap, and the level of inequality, is
increasing.
The report proposes that we
must all work together to build a stronger society on three ‘pillars’:
- spreading power,
- fostering contribution, and
- strengthening shared institutions.
It then goes on to make 28
specific recommendations about:
- Families: Raising children and nurturing
relationships
- Young people: enabling secure transitions into
adulthood
- Working life: promoting work and rewarding
contribution
- Housing: mobilising local leadership to build
more homes.
These
are big issues requiring tough decisions. Inevitably, some of the
recommendations have received more publicity than others.
For
instance, young people and their parents will be particularly interested in the
proposal that 18-21 year olds who aren’t work ready should be in training and
not on benefits. Therefore, they should be assisted to get good qualifications
and/or work experience. Support would be given to those whose parents can’t
support them through training, in the same way as we currently do for those in
higher education. Exceptional support would be given to those who genuinely
can’t live at home. But, otherwise, entitlement to Job Seekers Allowance should
end.
What
do you think?
You
can read the report, in full or in summary, at
