A fairer society for families– where economic conditions support family wellbeing, bringing up children and the reduction of poverty for families
Poverty and Inequality in 2020: Implications of changes in the structure of employment
JRF
May 2012
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It is widely thought that job market changes could help to reduce poverty in the UK. However, this report shows that expected changes to the labour market will actually increase relative poverty in the UK by 2020 and do very little to affect absolute poverty. The key forecasted changes in the labour market over the next decade, including the type of jobs available and the expected general improvements in the qualifications/skill levels of workforce, will tend to widen inequalities rather than reduce them, continuing recent historical trends.
Inequality, debt and growth
Resolution Foundation
May 2012
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This report (authored by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research) shows that low to middle income households were reliant on borrowing to fund much of their spending for more than a decade before the financial crisis. The report reveals the full extent of the increase in borrowing and deterioration in household savings rates in the run up to the 2008/09 crisis, with the poorest 10 per cent outspending their income by 40 per cent by 2007. Given only a minority of the poorest are homeowners paying off their mortgage, it is highly unlikely this was counterbalanced by an increase in housing wealth.
What price a living wage? Understanding the impact of a living wage on firm-level wage bills IPPR
May 2012
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This report analyses the likely impact of introducing the living wage as a new wage floor for a range of FTSE-listed businesses across a range of industry sectors. It concludes that for many, especially in banking, IT and construction, the average upfront wage costs are affordable, representing less than a 1 per cent increase. In other industries, such as retail and hospitality, where the proportion of lower-paid jobs is higher, the upfront costs would be higher, at between 4.7 and 6.2 per cent. So for these firms the report recommends a phased introduction, starting with a move to pay 90 per cent of the living wage.
Benefit cap warning
Department for Work and Pensions
May 2012
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Letters have been sent out to households who may be affected by the benefit cap, which comes into effect in April 2013 and will limit the amount of benefit couples and lone parent households can receive to around £500 a week or £26,000 a year – the equivalent of the average household income after tax or a gross household salary of £35,000.
Making fair financial decisions – An assessment of HM Treasury’s 2010 Spending Review
Equality and Human Rights Commission
May 2012
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The Commission's report considers the extent to which the decision-making by ministers and Treasury officials met legal obligations to consider the impact on equality when completing the Review. It is the first time an assessment of this kind and scale has been undertaken.
The report commends Ministers and officials for ‘serious’ efforts to meet the requirements of their obligations. It finds that in six cases the Treasury acted in accordance with the requirements under the equality duties. However, in three cases, the Commission says that it was unable to establish whether or not the decisions were in full accord with the requirements of the duty because of a lack of clarity as to a) where the true site of the decisions lay and b) whether or not some decisions were the responsibility of other government departments or the government as a whole. The Commission's report calls for Greater transparency in future reviews, the development of a common model of analysis to predict the likely equality effects of policy, earlier use of the equality duties to ensure better targeting of funds and greater value for money.
Family friendly business and working life– where employers and work-life balance supports the wellbeing of families and parents
Sarah Teather and Tim Loughton write to stakeholders about the Children and Families Bill
Department for Education
May 2012
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The ministers have given more details on the Children and Families Bill following the announcement in the Queen’s Speech. The Bill would include making parental leave more flexible and extending the right to request flexible working in order to make it easier for parents to share their caring responsibilities.
Department for Work and Pensions: The introduction of the Work Programme
Commons Public Accounts Committee
May 2012
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This report shows the concerns raised by the Commons Public Accounts about the Work Programme. The Work Programme is designed to help long-term unemployed people into sustainable employment. However, a failure to properly pilot the scheme meant there was a danger private contractors could be overpaid for work. The committee asks for an assurance from the DWP that no improper payment is made to contractors before the effective monitoring systems are in place.
‘Family man’ - British fathers’ journey to the centre of the kitchen
Fatherhood Institute
May 2012
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This is a summary of research into British men’s attitudes towards, and experiences of, parental leave and other aspects of active involvement in domestic life. Conducted by the Fatherhood Institute and online retailer Ocado in June 2011, it revealed some interesting and surprising findings about fathers’ attitudes towards, and experiences of, taking time off to look after their children.
Flexible working: provision and uptake
CIPD
May 2012
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This study, based on a survey of more than 1,000 employers and a survey of more than 2,000 employees, finds that small employers are least likely to report difficulties with the right to request legislation, and in all, three quarters of employees make use of flexible working of some type. It also reveals that only 4 per cent of employers have had difficulties complying with the current right to request flexible working since it was introduced in 2003. The CIPD calls on the Government to hold its nerve and go ahead with the extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees in Queen’s speech.
Support to help lone parents into work
Department for Work and Pensions
May 2012
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From 21 May 2012, advisors at Jobcentre Plus will be on hand to give one-to-one advice to lone parents on the range of support available including training opportunities, childcare, job applications and details of part time working or family friendly working in their area.
Essential service provision for families and children– where there are high-quality services to support families and children, particularly in the early years of childhood
Sarah Teather and Tim Loughton write to stakeholders about the Children and Families Bill
Department for Education
May 2012
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More details on the Children and Families Bill have been presented following the announcement in the Queen’s Speech. The Bill would include giving families of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities more choice and control; supporting most vulnerable children including those in care or whose parents have separated.
Affordable quality: New approaches to childcare
Centre Forum
May 2012
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Authored by Elizabeth Truss this report argues that Britain's childcare system needs to deliver better value for money. It recommends that the UK adopts an agency structure similar to the childminder or 'host parent' agencies found in the Netherlands. An accompanying measure would be to allow nurseries and children's centres to apply for academy status so that they are free from local authority control.
It proposes that a structure based on academies and agencies - and regulated through Ofsted - would lead to an increase in availability of flexible childcare and an end to spiralling costs.
Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability – progress and next steps
Department for Education
May 2012
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This report responds to the consultation on the Green Paper Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability. It also presents the current progress and future plan which includes giving parents greater control over the services they and their family use.
Future care – growing the care market
Carers UK
May 2012
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This report looks at reform of social care through an economic lens - exploring the economic costs to families and business of a lack of support forcing carers to give up work to care, but also the economic opportunities of stimulating growth in the care market. Looking to international evidence, and exploring the barriers and stimulants to growth, the report calls for a new National Care Strategy in partnership with the business community.
Transforming social care
The Centre for Social Justice
May 2012
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Urgent steps should be taken now to fix the already broken social care system for Britain's neediest old people, the Centre for Social Justice says in a new report in advance of the Government's response to the Dilnot inquiry. The CSJ breaks with the political consensus by urging Ministers to prioritise the poorest over the competing claims of asset-rich old people who are forced to sell their homes before they qualify for state subsidy.
Beyond the cuts – Children’s charities adapting to austerity
NCB
April 2012
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NCB's new report Beyond the Cuts was launched in the House of Lords on 30th April. The event was chaired by Baroness Tyler of Enfield, with presentations from, amongst other, Minister of Civil Society, Nick Hurd MP, and Dr Hilary Emery.
Beyond the Cuts estimates that children and young people's charities face a total of £405 million in public spending cuts in the five years to 2015/16. Worryingly, a significant minority of the charities consulted for the report, said they thought it 'likely' or 'very likely' they would have to close over the coming year.
Against all odds: Mind the gap - Creating services and welfare to tackle perinatal depression
Family Action
May 2012
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This report shows that there is a gap in early intervention services which fulfil the support needs of mothers-to-be and new mothers with mild to moderate depression. As family finances and welfare reform will have a negative impact on maternal mental health, the report’s recommendations include new mothers should be exempted from the welfare and housing benefit caps and should not be subject to the Universal Credit until the system is fully functioning.
Out of trouble: Families with complex problems, a guide for funders
New Philanthropy Capital
May 2012
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The prime minister pledged that his government should be judged on its success at transforming the lives of 120,000 families with complex problems by 2015. This report shows how private funders can make a difference and potentially help thousands more families in trouble to lead healthy, happy and productive lives.
Prime Minister announces support for families
Department for Education
May 2012
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The Prime Minister has launched three new services to support parents. Firstly, a new digital service for parents-to-be and new parents. Secondly, free parenting classes to all parents of children aged five years and under in three trial areas – Middlesbrough, High Peak in Derbyshire and Camden in London. Thirdly, a trial will offer subsidised relationship support sessions for all expectant parents and those with children up to the age of two in the trial areas - York and Leeds, North Essex, Hackney and City of London, Islington and Westminster.
Family friendly infrastructure and living environment– where communities and key services enhance the quality of life for families in their daily lives.
Strengthening powers of possession for anti-social behaviour - Summary of responses to consultation and next steps
Department for Communities and Local Government
May 2012
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This report presents the responses received to the consultation on strengthening powers of possession for anti-social behaviour. It also outlines the Government’s intention to provide landlords with the option of seeking possession using a mandatory power or ground rather than discretionary grounds in some instances. The plan aims to significantly speed up the eviction process and tackle riot related offences even if they are committed away from home.
The Big Society Audit 2012
Civil Exchange
May 2012
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The Audit finds a ‘Big Society gap’ between different groups against key indicators For example, far fewer younger people and people in deprived areas think that their neighbourhoods are pulling together to improve it compared to older people and people in the affluent areas. The Audit also reveals that the Government’s failure to get ‘buy in’ from others to the Big Society is a major potential obstacle to bridging that gap. It recommends that the Government needs to work more closely with the voluntary sector, providing the right support, especially in deprived areas which are being particularly hit by Government cuts.
Affordable capital? Housing in London
IPPR
May 2012
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This case study report makes a series of policy recommendations aimed at reducing the worst effects of London's housing squeeze. These recommendations include: (a) increasing the supply of housing, for example by releasing more public land for development; (b) improving the effectiveness of welfare reform, for example by raising the housing allowance cap in London; (c) achieving reasonable regulation in the private rented sector, including exploring maximum base rents and forming a rent stabilisation body; (d) increasing taxation of foreign buyers of prime London property by pressing ahead with various tax changes currently under consultation.
