ARVAC Bulletin 100

Putting Power into Local Hands

As Minister of Communities and Local Government, I am committed to ending inequalities and building strong and sustainable communities. However, I recognise that for some members of our society often older people - barriers to participation still exist. Whilst we as a government have made progress with regards to financial provision for older people, we recognise that there is still work to be done to tackle and address the problems of those continuing to suffer from exclusion.

In an effort to better understand the extent and characteristics of exclusion faced by older people in modern Britain my department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), along with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to complete secondary analysis on the first wave of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The results of this research recognise that social exclusion is a multi-dimensional concept, and goes beyond the traditional focus on income provision to include features of people’s social relationships, participation in cultural, leisure and civic activities, access to basic services (e.g. GP, post office), perceptions of the neighbourhood (e.g. fear of crime, friendliness of local people) and access to consumer goods.

Using this measure, analysis revealed that the majority of older people are not excluded on any of the above dimensions, 29 percent are excluded on one dimension, 13 percent on two dimensions, and 7 percent on three or more dimensions. The 7 percent experiencing multiple exclusion equates to approximately 1 million older people. As a society we are losing out on the contributions of a significant minority of older people, and in addition, this runs contrary to the Government’s aim of building active and vibrant communities.

The research also revealed the characteristics that are most associated with exclusion. Not surprisingly, those aged 80 and over; living alone; having no living children; in poor mental or physical health; with no access or limits to transport; on low income or having benefits as the main source of income; and those without use of a telephone were found to be at increased risk of exclusion. In addition, the more dimensions to an old person’s exclusion, the greater the fall in their overall quality of life.

This research, along with an extensive period of our own research and consultation with older people, service providers and the academic community fed into the development of the recently published Social Exclusion Unit report – A Sure Start to Later Life: Ending Inequalities for Older People (2006). This report sets out 30 cross-government actions aimed at tackling exclusion and isolation amongst older people.

The experience of exclusion is not unique to older people – it affects people of all ages. However, exclusion can be particularly acute in later life for three reasons. First, it is all too rare that people who are excluded in mid-life are able to break the cycle of exclusion in later life; indeed it can often become more acute. Secondly, the impact of key life events, such as bereavement, can lead people to become excluded. Thirdly, the impact of age discrimination on both the aspirations of individuals and the environment within which they operate can lead to exclusion. Too often this exclusion is compounded by the failure of services to react to the complexity of exclusion both at earlier stages of the life course and in old age. This is why we need a more responsive model for services for older people that addresses these needs.

Sure Start was created for children and families living in disadvantaged areas to access education,

care, health, family support and other services in one place. Sure Start’s guiding principles offer a radical but transferable model for services for older people. The services are different but the aspirations and outcomes are shared. The case for a Sure Start to later life follows three key principles. First, a commitment to progressive, person-centred services tailored to meet individual need. Second, the commitment to social justice which means services that work for all, particularly the most excluded. Third, a commitment to economically efficient services through better prevention and joined-up working. We believe that a Sure Start approach will produce economic returns for society and improve the quality of older people’s lives.

The Sure Start approach is in line with a focus on ‘double devolution’, which I recently outlined at the National Council for Voluntary Organisation’s annual conference. I want to see a new partnership, between the state, local government and the third sector, with the aim of putting more control and power in local hands.

Important changes have occurred in our society. We live richer, healthier and less constrained lives. However, there is still significant inequality. The Government and the voluntary sector have an important role to play in tackling this inequality; the voluntary sector in supplying power to individuals and communities through advocacy, providing a voice for citizens, engendering trust and in reflecting local need. As a Government our role should be one of support and partnership with the voluntary sector, not rivalry.

The Local Government White Paper to be published later this year will set out proposals for reforming partnerships between each sector. Devolving power down to the individual and community will be key and will open up opportunities for the voluntary sector, in addition to establishing a fair access to funding. This will I hope bridge the power gap that currently exists between government, voluntary and private organisations. Working together we have the ability to achieve more. Given our shared vision in creating socially inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods, I believe real partnership is a practical and achievable prospect.

“Sure Start to Later Life: Ending Inequalities for Older People (2006) is published by the Social Exclusion Unit of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Download for free from www.socialexclusionunit.gov.uk/page.asp?id=573

The Social Exclusion of Older People: Evidence from the first wave of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) (2006) is Matt Barnes et al.
Download for free from www.odpm.gov.uk/researchandstatistics

David Miliband MP entered the cabinet in May 2005 to fill the newly created post of Minister for Communities and Local Government.

Contact david.miliband@odpm.gsi.gov.uk