1. Social Justice and Social Exclusion in Rural England. Professor Mark Shucksmith

2. Social Justice in rural areas Social Justice connects with Labour values and with broader social agendas – related concepts of poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion. Social Justice connects with Labour values and with broader social agendas – related concepts of poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion. Understood as equality of opportunity, not outcome? Understood as equality of opportunity, not outcome? Social exclusion as process, as locally contextualised, and as systemic. Social exclusion as process, as locally contextualised, and as systemic. Social justice in an exclusive countryside? Social justice in an exclusive countryside? How to promote social justice in rural areas? Can we do this through tackling social exclusion? How to promote social justice in rural areas? Can we do this through tackling social exclusion?

3. Conceptualising Social Exclusion Exclusion is an idea which poses the right kind of questions. (Donnison 1998) Exclusion is an idea which poses the right kind of questions. (Donnison 1998) Dynamic, multi-dimensional processes. Dynamic, multi-dimensional processes. The intersection of history and biography The intersection of history and biography Person-centred, but in social and economic context. Person-centred, but in social and economic context. Systemic: it affects everyone in society. Systemic: it affects everyone in society. What are the processes by which individuals or groups gain resources (economic, social, cultural & symbolic), and so are integrated into or excluded from participation in our society?

4. Market Processes Market Processes Bureaucratic (State) Processes Bureaucratic (State) Processes Associative Processes (Voluntary) Associative Processes (Voluntary) Reciprocal Processes (Family & Friends) Reciprocal Processes (Family & Friends) Eg. Housing… Processes of Exclusion & Inclusion How do people become excluded/included?

5. Affordable Housing The supply of affordable housing : The supply of affordable housing : Market : strong demand, supply restrictions. Market : strong demand, supply restrictions. State: regulatory function often captured by elites, while provision negated by RTB sales. State: regulatory function often captured by elites, while provision negated by RTB sales. Voluntary: incorporation & inadequate funding. Voluntary: incorporation & inadequate funding. Delayed household formation, rupturing of kinship and friendship networks. Delayed household formation, rupturing of kinship and friendship networks. Social exclusion -> spatial exclusion, especially at the micro-scale (scattered houses/villages/market towns). Social exclusion -> spatial exclusion, especially at the micro-scale (scattered houses/villages/market towns).

6. Incomes by settlement size

7. Low Incomes and Low Pay Of working age on low incomes in 1991-96 : 22% were in employment, with persistent low pay 22% were in employment, with persistent low pay 23% were self-employed (cf. 8% in urban) 23% were self-employed (cf. 8% in urban) 13% were unemployed 13% were unemployed 41% were permanently sick (mainly men) or family carers (mainly women) or other. 41% were permanently sick (mainly men) or family carers (mainly women) or other. By 2000, NPI found rather more poverty in work and fewer detached from the labour market. Receipt of in-work means-tested benefits highest in remote areas.

8. Low Pay Low Pay is more prevalent in rural areas than urban. Low Pay is more prevalent in rural areas than urban. Furthermore, low pay is also more persistent in rural areas, even after taking into account other characteristics. Furthermore, low pay is also more persistent in rural areas, even after taking into account other characteristics. Probability still on low pay after 1 year is 73% (rural) against 64% (urban); and after 3 years is 50% (rural) against 40% (urban). Probability still on low pay after 1 year is 73% (rural) against 64% (urban); and after 3 years is 50% (rural) against 40% (urban). Low pay in rural areas is associated with low education levels, gender, industrial structure and with the typically small size of firm. Low pay in rural areas is associated with low education levels, gender, industrial structure and with the typically small size of firm. Agriculture, land-based industries and tourism account for 43% of male and 46% of female low pay. Agriculture, land-based industries and tourism account for 43% of male and 46% of female low pay.

9. Some Priorities for Policy Development Most people want to live in rural areas: this is a strength, so long as it does not itself become a dimension of inequality and injustice. Most people want to live in rural areas: this is a strength, so long as it does not itself become a dimension of inequality and injustice. More affordable housing – making housing more affordable as well as more affordable housing. More affordable housing – making housing more affordable as well as more affordable housing. Recognising the active role which rural areas can play in promoting equality of opportunity - in competitive economies, in city-regions, in social solidarity, and in quality of life. Recognising the active role which rural areas can play in promoting equality of opportunity - in competitive economies, in city-regions, in social solidarity, and in quality of life. More inclusive rural development practice: how to build the capacity to act of the many not the few. More inclusive rural development practice: how to build the capacity to act of the many not the few. The role of change agents – rural housing enablers, LEADER groups, CRC, and others. Collective learning, urban and rural. The role of change agents – rural housing enablers, LEADER groups, CRC, and others. Collective learning, urban and rural. Promoting uptake of welfare entitlements in rural areas, especially among older people. Promoting uptake of welfare entitlements in rural areas, especially among older people.