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.
Our webinar to launch 'The State of Us' report has started, with Kelly Fowler of Belong; Sam Coates and Prof Jagbir Jhutti Johal, members of the new Independent Commission on Community & Cohesion; and Sunder Katwala (Chair). Report co-author Jake Puddle is presents key findings.
This is a good point, we must try to control social media, but we also have to support alternative news and information sources. Local trusted media, based in local communities, is essential @BelongNetwork @britishfuture
A “powder keg” of social tensions and grievances remain unaddressed across the UK, one year on from last summer's riots, according to a major new cohesion report published today. It warns that without urgent action, unrest risks being reignited. [🧵]
Our @sundersays is on @LBC at 8.05 talking to @TomSwarbrick1 about the new report 'The State of Us'
Read the full report here:
https://shorturl.at/ycltT
New Channel migrant returns deal between UK and France "a breakthrough", but concerns that small scale may limit impact - "At ten times the scale, this deal could start to make a dramatic difference to small boat numbers." @britishfuture response from @sundersays [1/2]
Important new report out today from @Spiritof2012 & Public First exploring the power of events to build shared pride and bring communities together. [
Two-thirds of people in Britain say events hosted in the UK make them feel proud [1/2]
"New parties can voice arguments that citizens feel are missing. But a consumerist search for the perfect party can seek to side-step the inevitable frustrations of compromise. Politics is about how societies make collective decisions when we disagree." @sundersays @EasternEye
Family of 7/7 victim want social cohesion to be taught in schools, reports @thetimes.com
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Today is the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on London on 7th July 2005, a terrible day on which 52 people were killed by four bombs on three tube trains and a bus. The King and Prime Minister Keir Starmer will lead national commemorations today
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