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An unfair, uncaring and unworkable society
October 3rd, 2011 by Mike Barrett
I think it was Aristotle who said, “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.” It appears those words are so very relevant today. The recent London riots happened as a result of a mixture of poverty, criminality and a lack of moral discipline. The question is now being asked why? And yet the voices of the mostly young, gang member’s advocates are being translated into bureaucratic rhetoric. One of the truly shocking outcomes of the riots across the country was the targeting of the homeless. So this was not a revolutionary uprising by the poor for the poor, it was in my view, generated by greed and self-delusion. It has its roots in poor parenting, poor discipline in schools and bares the hallmarks of a failing state. A state that has since the late 1970’s encouraged celebrity for the sake of it and looked upon the richest in our society as the most successful. If we as a society measure success in this way then we get what we deserve – an unfair, uncaring and ultimately unworkable society.
“…is clear that we need to do more, a lot more. “
This organisation has worked for nearly 40 years to help people out of poverty and homelessness, but it is clear that we need to do more, a lot more. However, the “rules of engagement” are creating a paradox. The eligibility criteria for the funding that helps charities like Porchlight carry out their work seeks to disallow a number of key tasks. For example we are not allowed to accompany someone to their appointment with their GP, other specialists or indeed the Job Centre! If the main reason for an individual being in the position they are in is because they lack confidence and have never had the support they need, how on earth are they going to make the most of the support that we and organisations like us offer?
“…our sector does appear to have gone mad!”
I know I keep repeating myself, but our sector does appear to have gone mad! The reason, I believe, rests in the fact that commissioners and planners are frightened to talk. They don’t want to listen either. The fact that some of their decisions will drive up poverty and wreck the chances for positive change for many is apparently a price worth paying.
“…the anger, frustration and potential for further unrest increases.”
Research has shown that the welfare reforms will not achieve the outcomes forecast by the government in relation to Local Housing Allowance. The fact that landlords are likely to reduce their rents in line with LHA’s levels is contradicted by the now obvious fact that those who could afford to buy in the past will pay higher rents and those at the bottom will simply be move further down the scale, into poor quality accommodation. And so the anger, frustration and potential for further unrest increases.
About Mike
Mike joined the charity as Chief Executive in 1999. He has worked in housing and social care for nearly 30 years within local authorities, a national supported housing association and the charity sector. Mike has seen many changes to the sector over this time from the introduction of the Right to Buy scheme to a fundamental shift in the funding of supported housing in the 80’s and 90’s and the introduction of the Supporting People programme in 2003. He is a professionally qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) and a member of the UK Housing Panel. He is heavily involved in the supported housing and homelessness sectors regionally. Mike is also chair of the East Kent Homeless Forum.
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