The State of Us, published one year on from the violent unrest of last summer, presents an authoritative picture of the state of cohesion and community strength in the UK.
The report, by British Future and the Belong Network, details a combination of social tensions and grievances, including polarisation and division, concerns about asylum and immigration, declining political trust and economic pessimism. The authors warn that unrest risks being reignited unless urgent action is taken. They also identify some strong foundations on which to build, including public confidence in cohesion at neighbourhood level and numerous examples of impactful work across the UK to empower communities, build shared identities and strengthen relationships between people from different backgrounds.
Research for the report incorporated the views of 177 UK organisations working on social cohesion and community development, through regional roundtables, as well as 113 written submissions of evidence. A nationally representative survey by Focaldata and eight focus groups in towns and cities across the UK, including in areas that experienced riots, assessed public opinion.
The research is a foundational input to the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, chaired by Sir Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas.
As we mark #VJDay80, in which millions of soldiers from pre-partition India, Africa & the Caribbean served, worth noting that only 55% of UK public know that Indian soldiers fought for Britain in the World Wars. Just 24% are aware that soldiers from Kenya or Jamaica served.[1/4]
New column marking #VJDay80 today from @sundersays for @EasternEye
The three short months between VE Day in May and VJ day in August changed the contours of the postwar world, reshaping British politics, the map of Europe and the future of conflict in a new nuclear age. My column this week ahead of tomorrow's 80th anniversary commemorations
Important stat from ONS. Concerns about crime and migration are rising but people still care most about cost of living and NHS. Politicians need a message/plan on those too...
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of #VJDay tomorrow, @sundersays writes for @easterneye on the importance today of commemorating the multi-ethnic, multi-faith armies that won the war [1/2]
We're excited to be hosting a fringe event at the #SMCSymposium on 9 September, which aims to challenge conventional thinking about social mobility and explore insights into the causes of socio-economic disadvantage [1/2]
As small boat crossings are set to hit 50,000 sinec Labour came to power, our @sundersays is talking to @BBCWorldatOne at 1.15 about six years of policy failure and what can be done
British Future is hosting events at Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat party conferences this autumn. Full details, including speakers, dates and venues below [1/2]
This weekend, communities across the UK are coming together for the @RefugeesTogether #WelcomeWeekend, sending a message that Britain chooses welcome over division. 🧡 [1/2]
'What about the 'legitimate concerns' of ethnic minority Britons - about racism?' asks @sundersays in his @easterneye column [1/2]
Applications close Fri 15 August for these three roles at British Future, leading UK thinktank on immigration, integration, race and identity.
ICYMI: British Future is recruiting for 3 posts:
1) Senior Researcher on a new race equity project;
2) Manager for new ‘South Asian Bridgers Forum’ to strengthen South Asian inter-faith/community solidarity;
3) Events and Parliamentary Networks Manager
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