Blog posts by John Low

What's the impact of local authority spending cuts on poorer people and places?

by John Low

Do we have any idea of what the impact of spending cuts actually is, or what it might be in future?

Building communities is not enough – they must be managed

by John Low

Everyone agrees that the nation needs more homes in well designed communities where people want to live. Building new houses can kick-start the economy, provide accommodation for workers, play a big role in regeneration and create jobs.

Big Society and localism – and how Bradford is working in communities

by John Low

To judge from a rash of recent announcements, the Big Society/localism juggernaut has shuddered into life. Not only that, but it is already trundling down the highway, with some crashing of gears, at a stately pace. The Department for Communities and Local Government has just launched its first 17 pilots for neighbourhood planning, and an extension to the Communitybuilders Fund for social enterprises has been announced.

How spending cuts are eroding good work in our communities

by John Low

Last week’s flurry of media stories on Big Society focused on government cuts and the media consensus seemed to be that the Big Society project, like an unstable mine, was about to collapse into a huge hole created by the withdrawal of funding. This blog draws attention to the possible impact on the community or neighbourhood sector that supports many thousands of volunteers. JRF has long championed this sector, and is currently studying Bradford’s neighbourhood work, as part of our Bradford programme.

Fairness in the Big Society: whose job is it?

by John Low

A prominent notion in the Big Society firmament of ideas is that of government moving aside and letting ordinary people get on with it. On the face of it, a clear and attractive enough idea. Or is it? Is real life really that simple? Will snipping the odd bit of red tape here and removing the occasional obstructive apparatchik there really make that much difference? Why not try out the idea on a notion close to JRF’s warmly throbbing heart: fairness for poorer neighbourhoods?

Poorer neighbourhoods in a Big Society: will they sink or swim?

by John Low

We already know that, for deprived communities, recession bites deeper and lasts longer. And we also know that about 5% of poor communities – come boom or bust – never manage to fight free of recession. At the time of writing, cuts are being reported from deprived neighbourhoods, not just of mainstream services but also of schemes delivered via voluntary organisations – keep fit, healthy eating – that might be expected to help such communities weather a recession.