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Addressing Poverty and Inequality: A Call for Systemic Change in Wales

Professor Dave Adamson, OBE, CEO of the Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales, discusses critical issues surrounding poverty, social exclusion, and economic disparity in Wales. With a focus on rising bank bonuses, executive pay hikes, and tax evasion by large corporations, he highlights the concerning trends in child poverty and the escalating living costs affecting vulnerable communities. The talk emphasizes the need for systemic solutions, advocacy for the disadvantaged, and a comprehensive welfare reform that prioritizes support for low-income families.

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Addressing Poverty and Inequality: A Call for Systemic Change in Wales

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  1. Professor Dave Adamson, OBE CEO, Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales All in this Together?

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

  3. The real issues • 1980-2000 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 £259-251

  4. The lived experience of poverty • The triangle of poverty • Social Exclusion • Poor life chances • Poor places • Cultural adaptation • Low aspiration communities Education Health Housing

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

  6. 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

  7. Anti-welfare ideology • Undeserving poor • The poor are: • dysfunctional families • substance abusers • welfare dependents • No recognition of the working poor • Legitimation via ‘austerity’ imperative

  8. 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

  9. 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

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