Good Local Economics
We asked six leading experts to give their verdict on the events of 2011 in the key areas of public services, local economic development, civil society, poverty, sustainability and housing and suggest the way forward in 2012. In the third part of the series, Julia Unwin argues poverty in the UK should not be accepted as a fact of life, but that its eradication requires a new course of action
Campaign poster created by Net Efekt for Oxfam to raise awareness of UK poverty.The past year has been a terrible one for people living in poverty. We read report after report showing that poverty is on the rise – but is it out of control? You could be easily forgiven for thinking that it is. But it is worth remembering that even in our current stringent economic environment we are one of the richest countries in the world: of course we can stop people being poor. Poverty is not inevitable.
The communities and local government committee is conducting an inquiry into the role of councillors in their communities but you could be forgiven for not having noticed. The closing date for submissions is coming up apace (23 May) and one wonders how many people outside the rather specialised bubble of local government commentators, representative organisations, academics and think tanks will make the effort to respond.
