Archive for January, 2009
Word Economic Forum, World Social Forum, and the space in between
Thursday, January 29th, 2009This week the World Economic Forum is taking in Davos in Switzerland. And at the same time the World Social Forum is taking place in Belem in Brazil. The WEF and the WSF are always billed as alternatives - but surely there’s a space in the middle where business leaders, government ministers and community activists [...]
Ending Child Poverty: Making It Happen - Legislation consultation starts today
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009Today over 85 members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty (including us at Community Links) call on the government to guarantee that forthcoming child poverty legislation is underpinned by a set of principles which will ensure major improvements to children’s life chances.
We at Community Links have been working to tackle child poverty over thirty years - [...]
Recruitment: Financial Inclusion Champions - East and North London
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009We’re recruiting for a Financial Inclusion Champion. Are you interested in applying? Here’s some information about the post, and you can download the application pack.
The national Financial Inclusion Champions programme is intended to take forward the work of the Now Let’s Talk Money campaign, and is managed by the DWP as part of the Government’s Financial [...]
The second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill: conceived in a boom world?
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009The Welfare Reform Bill had its second reading Yesterday at Westminster. Newly in post as Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Theresa May’s ability to succeed her predecessor and stand against James Purnell has been questioned by The Telegraph and by The Spectator. May raised concerns over lone parents and what exactly work related activity would consist of. She [...]
Volunteer Research Intern
Friday, January 23rd, 2009linksUK are recruiting for a volunteer ‘research’ intern.
Are you interested? please get in touch by sending your CV and a cover letter to Zoraida Colorado. Could you also please let your colleagues and friends know about this opportunity. Here’s the text of the advert:
Volunteer Reserch Intern
Expenses paid. 2 months (Feb-March’09). 2-3 days a week. Based [...]
Unemployment and the recession
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009The full extent of rising unemployment has been announced today with the figures published by DWP.
Below is the text of a letter to which I am a signatory, published in today’s Guardian. We are calling for government action to protect those vulnerable members of our communities at risk of descent into poverty through unemployment.
If, as expected, [...]
Urban Regeneration: building local communities
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009Yesterday Parliament’s All Party Urban Development Group published a report on regeneration; specifically the impact that physical regeneration can have on local employment. (Thanks to Kevin Harris whose Neighbourhoods blog alerted me to this publication).
Last autumn we at Community Links put together our own analysis of the physical regeneration taking place around us in the London [...]
Early Intervention: Spend now, save later
Friday, January 16th, 2009
Two events this week signal government interest in new funding models for early intervention.
This has been a major theme in the work of the Council on Social Action.
The social mobility White Paper, “New Opportunities: Fair Chances for the Future“, was published on Tuesday paragraph 8.42 states:
“There is strong evidence that the right kinds of early [...]
Skint: Debt Special
Thursday, January 15th, 2009I’ve just watched the BBC’s Skint: Debt Special, which features some of the trials and tribulations of the infectiously upbeat Vernon Burgess of Birmingham. With a history of mental health issues, he survives on various benefits, including incapacity benefit. Several things struck me whilst watching.
Firstly, Vernon’s good will and positive outlook are undeniable. With four-figure [...]
Business, employment and the economy
Monday, January 12th, 2009Today the Prime Mister revealed plans to pay employers £2,500 for every long-term unemployed person they agree to take on. Employers will agree to provide training for a person on Jobseekers allowance for over six months.
From Lord Mandleson’s speech at the Job Summit:
“We do know broadly what we will need to be good at, and [...]
We spent a week debating the way poverty is portrayed in the media, generating over 20 fascinating posts from a wide range of authors. 