Citizens Advice Cymru Conference 2012 Are we all in this together? Tuesday 20th November 2012 #walesCABconf

ALL IN THIS TOGETHER? Professor Dave Adamson, OBE CEO, Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales

Some Headlines Continued bank bonuses 25% increase in Chief Exec pay ( FTSE 100) MPs expenses Utility price fixing Petrol price fixing Osborne tax cuts for high earners Starbucks, Amazon tax evasion Welfare reform

The real issues breadline poverty rose 16% - 27% Child poverty peak at 32% in 2001 Reduced to 23% by 2007 Result of minimum wage and tax credits Trend now reversing But 300,000 children less because of decline in 60% of mean income figure: down £

The lived experience of poverty The triangle of poverty Social Exclusion Poor life chances Poor places Cultural adaptation Low aspiration communities HealthHousing Education

Current issues Rising poverty Food and fuel poverty Personal indebtedness Child welfare implications Adult mental health implications Changing public attitudes (fairness) Austerity justification

Welfare reforms Invalidity to JSA Lower real benefit levels (RPI) Universal Credit Housing benefit reforms Merthyr Homes: £350k estate income reduction from under-occupancy rule Wider climate of workers rights

Anti-welfare ideology Undeserving poor The poor are: –dysfunctional families –substance abusers –welfare dependents No recognition of the working poor Legitimation via austerity imperative

What is to be done? Challenge the ideology Map and understand impact of cuts Advocacy for the poor Support, advise and challenge (tribunals) Maintain (extend?) services Work with Welsh Government

Social policy solutions Risk of tipping point Irreversible change Already need a 1945 scale settlement Living wage (£7.45 not Min wage £6.19) Economic growth-V-austerity Child care provision and subsidy Education and training Economic reform