Camden moves to tackle inequality

A newly-published report designed to establish the extent of inequality existing in the London borough of Camden has set out how public sectors and government partners operating within the district can tackle the issue.

The council-commissioned research, carried out by the Equality Taskforce, listed six recommendations that could dramatically improve the lives of people living in social housing located in Camden.

These included the implementation of work, training and education schemes for 14 to 19-year-olds in order to tackle unemployment, as well as initiatives designed to stretch every penny spent by the local authority.

In addition to this, the Taskforce recommended that Camden become a 'no wrong door' borough, which would involve the council undertaking preventative strategies to prevent vulnerable residents sliding into crisis.

Research suggests that such activity would reduce costs as individuals in a crisis are the most expensive in relation to service costs.

Other recommendations included taking action to get a greater number of mothers into work and using the council's 4,000 employees and £900 million spend on goods and services to increase buying power.

According to the Taskforce, such measures would help to make Camden a much nicer place for residents and visitors alike.

Naomi Eisenstadt, chair of the Equality Taskforce, said that the current reforms sweeping across the country has resulted in a dramatic change in all London boroughs and that councils should work hard to counteract any negative impacts.

"The process which the Taskforce have gone through with the Council and local partners, as well as a whole host of national experts, will be as valuable as the recommendations themselves in changing the way in which inequality is tackled in the borough," she said.

Councillor Sarah Hayward, leader of Camden Council, added that the government fully supports the results and will make sure the recommendations are implemented.

"The hard work starts now. Where we can influence the national debate and call for change we will, and our partners must use their voice too," she said.

Posted by Andy Britten

Published 28th May, 2013

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