CSJ: Starmer has failed to offer a new social contract

Commenting on the King’s Speech, Andy Cook, Chief Executive of the Centre for Social Justice, said:

“The King announced 40 new bills – a record – but there was little focus on the key issues needed to address many of our divided nation’s deep seated systemic problems and the root causes of poverty.

“There was nothing on welfare, social care, and very little on health.

“Education desperately needs reform, but you cannot benefit from school if you don’t go to school.  There was nothing about the school absence crisis with record levels of ghost children, out of school more than in it, and 1-in-5 kids persistently absent.

“Our prisons are overflowing, but the King had nothing to say about that.

“Employment changes must prioritise the rollout of support services to reduce economic inactivity. But a blanket ban of zero-hour contracts would be a mistake, many people on low incomes value them.

“We welcome more devolved decision making, ending of no-fault evictions, empowering police and reforming the apprenticeship levy.

“But these new laws will not be enough on their own to bring about Britain’s economic and social recovery. A revitalised sense of individual and family self-reliance are just as vital.  This government needs a new contract with the people, one that helps people help themselves from falling into poverty, and gives them every chance of escaping it if they do.  We urgently need to hear more about that.”