This policy statement describes itself as a Consultation document, so it would
be good if Social Policy academics submitted responses challenging the
government's thinking and proposals. As Adrian Sinfield's presentation at the
recent SPA Conference showed, as an academic community we have not been
very active (or perhaps not very public) in taking up opportunities to respond
to policy measures. If political fortunes at the UK level continue as present,
we might not have too many more chances to contribute to progressive
welfare reform.
Details on how to respond are on the DWP website (deadline 22 October
2008) - http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/noonewrittenoff/
A copy of Adrian's paper is available on the SPA conference website -
http://www.crfr.ac.uk/spa/papers/sinfielda.pdf
Stephen
Dr. Stephen Sinclair
Deputy Director, Scottish Poverty Information Unit
Glasgow Caledonian University
K. 315, Buchanan House
City Campus
Glasgow
G4 OBA
Tel: 0141 331 3666
[log in to unmask]
www.povertyinformation.org
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On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:56:39 +0100, Hartley Dean <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
>How about accepting that the need for fulfilling work (as part of our species
being) is far greater than the posited responsibility to take either low-wage
employment or coerced community service (which are each, by their nature,
exploitative)? Insofar as responsibility comes into it, it is surely a collective,
not an individual responsibility: the responsibility of governments (on our
behalf) to allow us all to undertake decent work that is both meaningful and
non-demeaning (which should include non-waged caring and creative
activities). Isn't this what 'de-commodification' is/was all about? The problem
is that all the world over policy makers have ceased to listen to this kind of
argument.
>
>Hartley Dean
>________________________________
>
>From: Social-Policy is run by SPA for all social policy specialists on behalf of
Suzie Watkin
>Sent: Tue 22/07/2008 13:33
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: UK Workfare proposals
>
>This policy direction represents community service punishments for the crime
>of not having a job; when New Labour first began to ape Workfare there was
>plenty of constructive criticism, this is not so apparent yet this time
>around- have we all rolled over and accepted such hardline provision? I
>really hope not. How about looking at making employment a bit more
>attractive- a bit more carrot with the beating stick?
>
>Suzie
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Social-Policy is run by SPA for all social policy specialists
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Ashton
>Sent: 21 July 2008 20:10
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: UK Workfare proposals
>
>The Government's Consultation Paper, 'No one written off: reforming
>welfare to reward responsibility' is published today.
>
>Excerpts from the Prime Minister's foreword to the document stresses
>the Welfare to Work aspects include:
>
>"In 1997, this Government inherited a welfare state weighted heavily
>towards rewarding and supporting people who were not actively seeking
>to improve their situation, whether by looking for work or by taking
>part in training....in a globalised world, we simply cannot afford the
>high price of large numbers of people on benefits....we will only
>create lasting prosperity by ensuring that the talents of our country
>are fully employed - and that rights are met with tough
>responsibilities that respect taxpayers as well as those claiming
>benefits."
>
>The 1.7mb Green Paper can be downloaded from:
>
>http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/noonewrittenoff/noonewrittenoff-
complete
>.pdf
>
>Paul Ashton
>[log in to unmask]
>http://www.eastb.freeserve.co.uk/Paul-Ashton.htm
>
>Please access the attached hyperlink for an important electronic
communications disclaimer:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/secretariat/legal/disclaimer.htm
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