Shifting Community and Policy Cultures Mike Stewart Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion

What is Social Inclusion? 'Social inclusion is the process by which efforts are made to ensure that everyone, regardless of their experiences and circumstances, can achieve their potential in life. To achieve inclusion income and employment are necessary but not sufficient. An inclusive society is also characterised by a striving for reduced inequality, a balance between individuals’ rights and duties and increased social cohesion'. (Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion, 2002)

Employment: Policy Context Lowest unemployment for 30 years-less then 1million. Increasing numbers of harder to help Very high numbers of economically inactive around 4million.

Key barriers Basic Skills: 7 million reading problems 15 million numeracy problems Qualifications: Half of all unemployed do not have any qualifications at all.

Key barriers Welfare benefits: Dependence on health and housing benefits acts as a real barrier Mobility: There are jobs close by but people reluctant to travel far Culture of persistent unemployment: Very localised pockets of long term unemployment irrespective of general economic conditions

Government Priorities Particular groups:- Lone parents, Over 50’s, Ethnic minorities, People with disabilities Hard to help:- Ex-offenders, Drug/alcohol users,Homeless, Mental illness, Employer of last resort? Areas:- Action Teams, New Deal for communities, Neighbourhood renewal

Tackling persistent long term unemployment Neighbourhood renewal strategy - emphasises bottom up rather then top down Pockets of severe deprivation in most neighbourhoods Private market failure Social capital/Culture/Generational issues Little history of self-help or enterprise

Government view Focus on supply side-raise employability jobs will follow Reluctant to support demand side initiatives - there are jobs close by and fear of expensive ‘make work’ programmes. Rights and responsibilities Tackle the individual barriers But-now the social as well as the economic agenda is becoming more prominent

Social and Economic objectives A hand up not a hand out How to encourage active engagement Enterprise rather then dependency Modernising public service delivery Rights and responsibilities Citizenship Social cohesion

Social Economy Long tradition in the U.K. - the Co-operative movement etc. But relatively insignificant. Depending on how defined there are over 5,000 social enterprises in the UK employing around 120,000 people. Now has formal government support which is aiming for:- creation of an enabling environment making social enterprises better businesses establishing the value of social enterprise

What is social enterprise? ‘ Trying to define a Social Enterprise can be like trying to define an elephant - very difficult and not much point, because you certainly know one when you see one’. Social Enterprise London “Social enterprises are, at heart, businesses that offer economically sustainable business solutions to social problems.” U.K. Department of Trade and Industry

Why is government interested? Promotes enterprise as opposed to dependency culture Can provide additional jobs in areas where these are scarce Products and services that address unmet community needs Stimulate the local economy and help attract inward investment

New vehicle for delivery of public services? The UK Government is introducing the not for profit enterprise concept as a ‘third-way’ alternative between outright privatisation or nationalisation of public services e.g. Railways Foundation Hospitals

Further Information Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion Social Enterprise Coalition U.K.Department for Trade and Industry Towards Full Employment in a Modern Society