Greens Welcome 'Hidden Work' in the Parliament
Wed., June 28, 2006. 14:30.
New report highlights government undermining of the social economy and sustainable community development
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Green MSP Mark Ballard today welcomed the launch of the Gorbals Initiative, New Economics Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation report into 'Hidden Work' which highlights the unwitting impact of government employment policy which in many cases is undermining the 'social economy' and the fabric of some local communities.
Mr Ballard, Green speaker on social enterprise today hosted the report launch in the Scottish Parliament, said: "This report demonstrates that current government emphasis on moving individuals from deprived communities into any job, and often into low-paid work, may not fully take account of the voluntary contributions individuals make to local communities and the social economy. By pushing people into paid work, whether appropriate or not, the government may unwittingly destroy social networks that increase many peoples' quality of life. Greater attention needs to be given to the unremunerated work that individuals do during the transition from unpaid work to paid work."
Mr Ballard further commented: "While it is very important that everyone has access to paid work, the government policy of forcing people into low-paid work may stifle the ability of communities to generate their own employment opportunities. The tendency for government interventions into communities to become overbearing can destroy much of the social fabric that could allow for sustainable growth through which communities could help to regenerate themselves.
The report, entitled "Hidden Work - Co-production by People Outside Paid Employment" by David Boyle, Sherry Clark and Sarah Burns, details ways in which community support is often undervalued and ignored in economic analyses.
Notes to editors
For a copy of the report go to: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubID=796
The new economics foundation (nef) has consistently argued that without active citizen engagement, modern welfare systems and philanthropy will impact only on the symptoms, and not the root causes of society’s problems.
This controversial research project, led by nef, studied a range of co-production initiatives in London, Glasgow (in partnership with the Gorbals Initiative) and the Welsh Valleys. In a highly innovative approach, field research was carried out using people from the study population – people outside paid work. At the same time, staff at nef interviewed high-level policy makers and academics about their views on the merits of co-production, and barriers to implementation.
The findings cast a new light on the current debate over the future of public services, and will be of interest to all those in the policy and academic communities who have an interest in social capital and renewing government.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.