A discussion  event for Compass members and supporters led by Michael Orton, whose report for Compass ‘Something’s Not Right: Insecurity and an Anxious Nation’ will be published shortly. This will be an informal evemt with the emphasis on identifying progressive and positive solutions.

When: Wednesday 19 November, 19:30 – 21:30

Where: William Penn Room, The Priory Rooms,

Quaker Meeting House, 40 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AF

 

Extract from forthcoming Compass report – ‘Something’s not Right: Insecurity and an Anxious Nation’

“Insecurity and anxiety are structurally pervasive in Britain today. The effects run right through our socio-economic system. Everyone bar a disconnected elite are affected. The solution is setting a new direction to create a socio-economic frame which deals with the deep structural causes of our insecurity and anxiety, and provides the lasting basis for lives that are free because they are secure.

The bad news is…

the UK is now described as a 5-75-20 society: a 5 per cent elite, 20 per cent who are poor and marginalised and 75 per cent who are the ‘new insecure’;

there is an avalanche of evidence on the extent and effect of insecurity on people with middle and lower incomes;

insecurity affects not only individuals but the UK economy: household insecurity is a problem for the UK’s entire financial and economic system;

the current you’re “On Your Own’’ approach, alongside a form of capitalism with few social responsibilities, promises ever increasing insecurity;

insecurity was a problem pre-crash and will not simply disappear with economic recovery;

the basic social contract at the heart of capitalism is breaking down.

The good news is…

insecurity is not inevitable: UK government and politicians can redress insecurity;

key policy levers to redress insecurity are in place;

talking about insecurity resonates with the reality of people’s lives;

concern about security/insecurity connects with majority public attitudes;

There is here the basis for a new political economy and socio-economic framework that: embeds security as a critical element in a renewed framework fit for 21st century Britain; is the means of achieving good society goals; and provides people with true freedom to choose how to lead their lives and in which each individual is able to choose what constitutes for them a flourishing life free of the anxiety, fear, deprivation and unequal life chances endemic in an insecure nation.“