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Poverty. Sheffield Executive Board. Peter B radley. briefing. overwhelmed by detailed policy papers – read some 40 sheffield tackling poverty and social justice board – just begun met only some of the key community leaders listened to people who are currently experiencing poverty.
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Poverty Sheffield Executive Board Peter Bradley
briefing overwhelmed by detailed policy papers – read some 40 sheffield tackling poverty and social justice board – just begun met only some of the key community leaders listened to people who are currently experiencing poverty a tentative beginning
Poverty a relative concept—understood in relation to typical living standards people rarely self-identify as poor when people lack the resources to obtain the diet, participate in activities and have the living conditions and amenities which are customary...or widely encouraged and approved in the wider society to which these people belong Child Poverty Action Group, 2012
Poverty household income below 60% of the median UK household income before and after housing costs typical government definition, 2012
Destitution the complete lack of adequate statutory support systems, resulting in the need for people to approach charities, faith groups, communities and voluntary groups for ... some form of daily support Refugee Action, 2009
Sheffield 29 neighbourhoods among 20% most deprived in 28% of Sheffield’s total population State of Sheffield Report, 2012 but there is also an opportunity... through using the skills of the whole city
Changing pressures increased food costs increased fuel costs reduced provision as a result of welfare reform c £180M reduction in housing benefit reduced opportunities for low skilled employment risk of increased exposure to non-decent housing in private sector removal of central government support for social fund cooker, fridge, furniture
Poverty premium increased fuel costs—as direct debit discount not available increased insurance poor access to suitable fresh food £1300 pa
opportunities for us to develop • 1 financial inclusion • ambition and achievement • third sector provision
1 financial inclusion payday loans logbook loans informal lending (= loan sharks) take money out of local economy trap people in debt
1 financial inclusion credit unions need strengthening but do not reach the very poorest
1 financial inclusion need for low-cost factoring for SMEs provision of very small loans community microfinance presents an opportunity
1 financial inclusion opportunity for SEB a new city-wide social enterprise like the London Rebuilding Society a mutual using financial leadership and investment from Sheffield’s rich 20%
1 financial inclusion • a new city-wide mutual • shared buying to address fuel poverty • loans for small scale home improvement • small scale business support and finance • mutual aid fund offering micro-loans to community organizations
1 financial inclusion local “currency”—Sheffield pound Europe South America Brixton a voucher scheme to direct very small scale investment and build confidence in poorest communities
2ambition and achievement Why do people consistently report that “education was not for me”?
2ambition and achievement in the absence of work a street culture quickly established
2ambition and achievement in the absence of work a street culture quickly established proper disciplines of work never established contribution of work to self-esteem, purpose, not valued It’s time to do something for me!
2 ambition and achievement Why the consistent failure? Why are we satisfied with men and women in the city leaving eduction without a compelling vision for their own lives? Are there opportunities for intervention with adults under 30?
3 third sector challenges signficant reduction in state funding funding moving to private trusts and CSR... causing fragmentation of provision
3 third sector opportunities fragmentation has led to lack of agreed monitoring and a loss of shared understanding of what works...so... reinforces importance of Fairness Commission on developing a shared understanding of city-wide problems and data new requirement for central collection of data and impact from third sector
3 third sector opportunities new welfare model... reinforces importance of a shared understanding of city-wide problems and data need for central data collection of data from third sector
3 third sector opportunities new welfare model requires on-line application for universal credit... opportunity for sector to develop new provision for advice and supporting on-line applications
3 third sector opportunities food banks eleven currently operating in the city opportunity for sector to develop coherent provision in depth working to ensure no good food wasted
focus fox talbot, 1843
Extra!housing significant pressure on private housing stock opportunity for sector to develop need to monitor and bring about compliance with decent housing standards
a shared understanding of whatfairness means to tackle the street culture to help people raise aspirations to enable effective working across sectors a new sheffield mutual to maximise financial inclusion to develop the third sector to reduce energy poverty a city currency to develop local pride and culture of inclusion to develop realistic aspiration and empowerment to support local shops and businesses
SEB partnership wonderful london, 1926
references Child Poverty Action Group, www.cpag.org.uk Refugee Action, www.refugee-action.org.uk Brixton Pound, brixtonpound.org Kelly and Her Sisters, ITV1, 9 April 2012