State of the Nation: Mike Beckett's thoughts on Economics, Public Policy and Social Policy going forward

An informal discussion document - Sept 2011

As things change the Big Society seems to be the answer to all our social ills and to fill all the gaps. I think this is an extension of what the voluntary and community sector has been doing for years. However while in my opinion there is enough volunteers available, the management of the volunteers requires funding and with the contractions in funding I foresee more charity mergers and contrary to the localism ideals I see local autonomy increasing moving towards larger structures with substantial funding and away from small purpose built indigenous and culturally sensitive solutions, I certainly hope I am wrong on this. I do hope enough power is delegated, low enough to ensure local services delivery is as locally required! 

I hope that this is not the future we have before us but this is the trends I see. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our voluntary sector but I can see the role of volunteers being increasingly regulated as I can see a return of National Service with a twist not specifically in the armed forces but to provide extended apprenticeships in the Community and Voluntary Sector as well as Government Services, these low paid positions would be more constructive than the dole, will instil a work ethic and perhaps inspire those who are able to go on to better things.

I also think as revenue raising will become increasing an issue that will focus peoples minds of all political persuasions. Therefore I can see the idea of a higher taxation for those who have not meaningfully contributed to society in some way such as completing the afore mentioned National Service. With the rewards of full citizenship offered like the Roman citizenship to those who have done the time in National Service. I see this as the likely popular political answer to the question, how do we prevent the recent riots from happening again? and instil a feeling of engagement and that we are all in this together in the disaffected and the migrants? By making people work, with low paid make work and for those happy to remain there will do so and for those who want more the opportunity to rise over time. 

I suspect the age for receipt of Pension payments (Pension Credit and the State Pension) will continue to be put back and I foresee that they will be increasing pressure to make the books balance and delayed gratification (of the luxury of retirement, as I suspect this will be seen to be) is an obvious way to achieve this. I suspect that 80 by 2050 may not be unrealistic, this is pure speculation. 

I hope that enterprise might be stimulated by the removal of income tax on people first £10k of earning encouraging people to employ locally rather than factor out work and this in turn could reduce the weight of unemployment benefit on the public purse, while increasing economic activity and of course the Treasury benefits through indirect taxation. I think this is a good idea due to the multiplier effect and that it is better to have people employed and active than inactive or worse negatively active in the shadow economy. Without positive opportunities those who are socially excluded find little opportunities are all too often easy prey to drug dealers and criminals who are often eager to increase their reach and influence.

These are some of my current economic public policy musings, this is meant as a commentary of trends and not an endorsement of any particular policies unless specified. You may also be interested in my business blog, Mike Beckett is caring for business and taking no liberties... 

Regards

Cllr Michael Beckett BA(Hons) MIoD CertIoD

PS. Constructive feedback appreciated!

What is even more evil than intolerance? (there can only be one thing)

As ever on the internet it is possible to encounter something that makes you think (as well as a lot that doesn't). On Tumblr a site I have not joined but was referred to, I saw the question below with the suggestion that their could be only one thing worse than intolerance...

"What is even more evil than intolerance? (there can only be one thing)"

My immediate thought was tolerance of the intolerable as an answer...that which prevents the freedom of others interfering in law abiding and constructive lives. While I am a tolerant guy and willing to adapt where possible and to suck it in to make things happen as I am and continue to be very outcome focussed. As human trafficking, genocide, torture, abuse and rape are all things I think are great wrongs and should not be tolerated, they should be addressed through due legal process. If it is a smaller wrong or slight, this may be not practicable as other considerations inevitably in our messy world must be considered then I suppose long suffering is the alternative neither option appealing.

To paraphrase Burke 'All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing'. I know I am not prepared to do nothing but equally I am measured in my responses as the optimal outcome is what I am working for and this is often not aligned with my own self interest, altruism. Working in the voluntary and community sector is comparatively under remunerated in cash terms. As I am not a reductionist and do value social capital, my perception is of creating a larger synergy which can fit under the term Big Society or more naturally for me community politics. In summary to stop evil and the politics of hate we need to subscribe to loving/caring or 'unconditional positive regard' as Carl Rogers calls it and a live giving, sharing politics.

Involvement in what happens, mucking in, caring about other people and generally making our locality a better place to live can be infectious and can make surprisingly large differences to peoples lives. Be active, be involved and lets make a difference together our Big Society starts with us and it is what we make it. Despite many attempts to legislate happiness, it is our quest and our adventure and we share our own with those we interact with as we are like or not to some extent interdependent and therefore our utility will affect others. This is a sacred quest to make the world better than we found it to reach our with availability and vulnerability to others and form real community, to make things happen for good and to seek what may be termed sustainable happiness, a more spiritual harmonised and cohesive society...God knows how but I am sure together we can have an impact, we can commit virtue and no matter the cost this is a cause worth living for!

First post

My ambition is to maximise the use of available resources to build social capital through quality sustainable enterprises that help those involved, generates good will and helps people live life to the full by enjoying the products and services provided.

Simply to help people, with what works and will work into the future efficiently as practicable.

I would recommend that you dear reader become a community activist with some experience making things happen as a Councillor and helping people as a CAB manager. I know we need more people making things happen for good.

In this season the Big Society is in and I want to make it our big society which is pretty much what a lot of us have been doing for years for example by starting a Credit Union, standing for public office or volunteering to help.

Complaining is easy, finding ideas to make things better is improvement and best of all is making the effort to make things better!

Do you have ideas to improve things do let me know!