An official report provided details of the work carried out by the Northern Ireland Executive in 2001-02 to tackle social need by targeting efforts and available resources at particular groups, and set out further commitments.
Source: New Targeting Social Need Annual Report 2002, Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 0500)
Links: Report | Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A report examined rising inequalities in the western world. It considered the extent to which they are the mechanical consequence of changes in economic fundamentals (such as changes in technological or demographic parameters), or the result of country-specific and time-specific changes in institutions.
Source: Daniel Cohen, Gilles Saint-Paul and Thomas Piketty, The New Economics of Rising Inequalities, Centre for Economic Policy Research (020 7878 2900) and Oxford University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Dec
A 'mixed picture' of progress in tackling poverty and social exclusion in Scotland emerged in an independent monitoring report setting out information for 34 different indicators, ranging from low income, health and education to housing conditions, community safety and participation in elections (mainly covering the five years to 2000-01). Despite falling unemployment and some improvement in educational qualifications, the number of people living in low-income households in Scotland (1.2 million) was slightly higher in 2000-01 than in 1997-98. The number of children in such households remained broadly unchanged, in contrast to the rest of Great Britain where it declined.
Source: Peter Kenway, Steven Fuller, Mohibur Rahman, Cathy Street and Guy Palmer, Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion in Scotland, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings D22
Date: 2002-Dec
Research found that, on average, individuals in the bottom two-fifths of the income distribution receive around twice the value of benefits in kind ('social wage') as those in the top fifth - over 2,000 per person as against 1,000. Social housing is the most strongly 'pro-poor', but healthcare, social care and most education services are also pro-poor. The pro-poor bias of social provision has become more marked under the current Labour government: but this has not been enough to offset rising income inequality.
Source: Tom Sefton, Recent Changes in the Distribution of the Social Wage, CASEpaper 62, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Links: Paper (pdf) | JRF Findings D42
Date: 2002-Dec
An interim report analysed the reasons why relative poverty has declined in recent years, and used policy modelling to assess the scope for further reductions. It was found that, between 1996-97 and 2000-01, the number of children in households with incomes below the poverty threshold fell by between 540,000 and 450,000 (depending on whether income was measured before or after housing costs). The largest decline was among larger and lone-parent families. The main reasons for the fall were a drop in unemployment, a rise in the number of households with a member in employment, and a rise in the value of child-related benefits and tax credits.
Source: David Piachaud and Holly Sutherland, Changing Poverty Post-1997, CASEpaper 63, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
The Department for Work and Pensions published its 'service delivery agreement', operative from April 2003. Its principal objectives were listed as: to ensure the best start for all children and end child poverty in 20 years; to promote work as the best form of welfare for people of working age; to combat poverty and promote security and independence for pensioners; to improve rights and opportunities for disabled people; and to modernise welfare delivery.
Source: Service Delivery Agreement, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7712 2171)
Links: Agreement (pdf) | Technical note
Date: 2002-Dec
According to the latest in a series of annual surveys, 24 out of 50 key indicators of poverty and social exclusion improved between 1996-97 and 2000-01, while only six worsened. The number of people living in relative low-income households in Great Britain fell by 1 million (7 per cent) to just over 13 million during this period. Increased spending on public services such as health and education also tended to benefit the poor more than people on higher incomes. Even so, new evidence was found that without further action the government will have difficulty meeting its commitment to reduce child poverty by a quarter by 2004.
Source: Guy Palmer, Mohibur Rahman and Peter Kenway, Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion 2002, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings D32 | Guardian article | NPI website
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 1.1
Date: 2002-Dec
The government published the result of a cross-cutting review of health inequalities, and said that its aim is 'to improve the health of the poorest, fastest.' It set out five steps to focus healthcare on prevention as well as cure, including the creation of a new 'Health Inequalities Unit' and a major drive to cut smoking.
Source: Tackling Health Inequalities: 2002 Cross-Cutting Review, Department of Health (08701 555455) and HM Treasury
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | DH press release | Speech by Secretary of State
Date: 2002-Nov
The government began consultation on revisions to the 2000 English indices of deprivation, which are widely used to decide where to allocate government regeneration funds. Proposed changes include adding two new 'domains' - physical environment and crime - as indicators of deprivation.
Source: Updating the English Indices of Deprivation 2000: Stage 1 Consultation Report, Neighbourhood Renewal Unit/Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 8383)
Links: Consultation document (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The Scottish Executive published its third annual report on its social justice agenda. It simultaneously announced that, in line with the commitment to eradicate child poverty within a generation, 31 million is to be spent over the next three years on initiatives that help families find their way out of poverty. Campaigners reportedly accused the Executive of issuing misleading statistics on the fall in child poverty since 1997.
Source: Social Justice ...A Scotland where Everyone Matters - Annual Report 2002, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566) | Press release 18.11.02, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400) | Community Care, 19.11.02
Links: Report | Press release | Community Care article
Date: 2002-Nov
Adult death rates are higher among people growing up in poor living conditions, said researchers who examined premature death (between 26 and 54 years of age in a sample of people born in March 1946) in relation to socioeconomic conditions in childhood and adulthood.
Source: Diana Kuh et al., 'Mortality in adults aged 26-54 years related to socioeconomic conditions in childhood and adulthood: post war birth cohort study', British Medical Journal 9.11.02
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Nov
Researchers examined the distribution of financial wealth (defined as savings plus investments minus debts). It was found that in 2000 half the population hold 600 or less; that there is a large amount of variation in wealth, with one quarter 200 or more in debt but a further quarter owning 9,050 of assets or more; and that inequality of this magnitude is much more than is found in the income distribution.
Source: James Banks, Zo Smith and Matt Wakefield, The Distribution of Financial Wealth in the UK: Evidence from 2000 BHPS data, Working Paper 02/21, Institute for Fiscal Studies (020 7291 4800)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The prime minister said that the government continues to aim for a society 'in which we continue to redistribute power, wealth and opportunity to the many not the few, to combat poverty and social exclusion.'
Source: Speech by Tony Blair MP in Hackney, London, 18.9.02
Links: Speech | Guardian report
Date: 2002-Sep
A new book set out a 'one nation' Conservative approach to tackling problems of poverty and deprivation.
Source: Gary Streeter (ed.), There is Such a Thing as Society, Politicos (020 7828 0010)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Sep
The Prime Minister argued in a pamphlet that, while public services are crucial to Labour s goal of social justice, they could be lost altogether to private sector provision unless they are successfully reformed.
Source: Tony Blair, The Courage of our Convictions: Why Reform of the Public Services is the Route to Social Justice, Fabian Society (020 7227 4900)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
The latest annual report by the government on its objectives for reducing poverty and inequality claimed that 'good progress' has been made. It highlighted the fact that the employment rate among lone parents, disabled people and people from deprived areas has risen by more than the overall rate; and said it is on track to meet its pledge to reduce the number of children in low-income households by one quarter by 2004.
Source: Opportunity for All - Fourth Annual Report 2002, Cm 5598, Department for Work and Pensions, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 1.1
Date: 2002-Sep
A new book argued that welfare states need to adjust in order to further the goals of maximum social inclusion and justice, in particular in the areas of: old age and the transition to retirement; welfare issues related to changes in working life; the new risks and needs that arise in families with children; and the challenges of creating gender equality.
Source: G sta Esping-Andersen (ed.) with Duncan Gallie, Anton Hemerijck and John Myles, Why We Need a New Welfare State, Oxford University Press (01536 741727)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Aug
A think-tank pamphlet argued that the government's commitment to eradicate poverty was bound to fail, because of a flawed definition of the problem - based on a crude measure of inequality, rather than true poverty.
Source: Tom Startup, Poor Measures?, Social Market Foundation (020 7222 7060)
Links: Observer report
Date: 2002-Aug
A new book provided a detailed and examination of the welfare reforms of New Labour's first term; compared achievements with stated aims; and examined success in the wider context.
Source: Martin Powell (ed.), Evaluating New Labour's Welfare Reforms, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Jul
A cross-cutting review (part of the 2002 Spending Review) recommended a comprehensive approach to tackling inequality in health outcomes through improved focus of programmes and resources - in particular education, health, and housing - as well as increased efforts on smoking cessation, better nutrition and exercise, and other preventative health care services.
Source: Opportunity and Security for All: Investing in an Enterprising, Fairer Britain: New Public Spending Plans 2003-2006, White Paper Cm 5570, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: White Paper | Press release | Hansard
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 2.6
Date: 2002-Jul
A booklet argued that the rise of an 'entitlement culture' combined with the pressures of globalisation, immigration and an ageing population are making welfare-to-work strategies more fundamental than ever before.
Source: Alan Deacon et al., Europe's Welfare Burden, Stockholm Network, available from Civitas (020 7401 5470)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Jul
A paper concluded that social security reforms since 1997 have redistributed income to the poor, pensioners and children: but have also increased means testing and weakened the national insurance system.
Source: M. Brewer et al., Social Security under New Labour: What did the Third Way mean for Welfare Reform?, Institute for Fiscal Studies (020 7291 4800)
Links: Link removed
Date: 2002-Jun
A United Nations Committee report criticized the United Kingdom's record on a range of social issues, including poverty and discrimination.
Source: Press release 7.5.02, United Nations Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights (41 22 9179000)
Links: No link
Date: 2002-May