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
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
A report said that social inclusion should be given greater prominence within research into sustainable development, and that there should also be greater recognition of the importance of environmental factors in research into social inclusion. The use of 'non-traditional' research methods such as participative research, which work with rather than on excluded communities, should receive greater support, and a transparent strategy for the long-term funding of sustainable development research should be developed.
Source: Malcolm Eames with Maria Adebowale (eds.), Sustainable Development and Social Inclusion: Towards an integrated approach to research, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: Report (pdf) | PSI press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A paper examined the types of capital which determine the ability of individuals, communities and nations to avoid poverty and social exclusion. It identified five forms of capital financial capital, physical capital, human capital, public infrastructure and social capital.
Source: David Piachaud, Capital and the Determinants of Poverty and Social Exclusion, CASEpaper 60, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
A report said that the creation of balanced communities is vital if the social polarisation seen in the United States, where at least 12 per cent of the population live in gated communities, is to be avoided.
Source: Anna Minton, Building Balanced Communities: The US and UK compared, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (020 7334 3890)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A new book argued that there is a need to understand childhood poverty and social exclusion from the perspective of children themselves. In particular, poor children are at great risk of experiencing exclusion within school (rather than because of absence from it), and suffer from insufficient access to the economic and material resources necessary for adequate social participation and academic parity.
Source: Tess Ridge, Childhood Poverty and Social Exclusion: From a Child's Perspective, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Oct
A paper argued that poverty is not the moral, cultural or social problem of a permanently excluded underclass, but an economic risk that affects everyone. The purpose of the welfare state should not be to target programmes more carefully on 'the poor', but to ensure that there is a general framework of resources, services and opportunities which are adequate for people s needs, and can be used by everyone.
Source: Paul Spicker, Poverty and the Welfare State: Dispelling the Myths, Catalyst, available from Central Books (020 8986 4854)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Sep
A report found that cultural and sporting activity is vital to enriching disadvantaged communities and promoting social inclusion.
Source: Making it Count: The Contribution of Culture and Sport to Social Inclusion, Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team/Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7273 8708)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 4.6
Date: 2002-Jul
A website was launched providing current information about trends in poverty and social exclusion.
Source: Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion (website), New Policy Institute
Links: Website
Date: 2002-Jun
A book examined the debate around the meaning of social exclusion, and the extent and nature of problems it encompasses.
Source: John Hills, Julian LeGrand and David Piachaud (eds.), Understanding Social Exclusion, Oxford University Press (01536 454534) | CASEbrief 23, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Links: Summary | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
A study found poor literacy was linked to ill-health, unemployment and depression.
Source: Samantha Parsons and John Bynner, Basic Skills and Social Exclusion: Findings from a study of adults born in 1970, Basic Skills Agency (0870 600 2400)
Links: Study (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
A study tested an academic definition of social exclusion against the views of residents of deprived neighbourhoods.
Source: L. Richardson and J. Le Grand, Outsider and Insider Expertise: The Response of Residents of Deprived Neighbourhoods to an Academic Definition of Social Exclusion, CASEpaper 57, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2002-May
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was separated from the Cabinet Office, and will have responsibility for some cross-cutting issues including social exclusion and neighbourhood renewal.
Source: Press release 29.5.02, Cabinet Office (020 7261 8527)
Links: Cabinet Office press release
Date: 2002-May
An official interim report said that improving transport to ease people's access to work, learning and health would play a vital part in tacking social exclusion.
Source: Making the Connections: Transport and social exclusion - Interim findings, Social Exclusion Unit/Cabinet Office (020 7276 2055)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 4.7)
Date: 2002-May