Globalisation, UK poverty and communities

This programme explores current evidence about the effects of globalisation on the UK, focusing in particular on communities and the experience of people in poverty. It will promote awareness and understanding of the impact of globalisation on the UK and look at implications.

Overview

Globalisation is the increasing integration and interdependence of countries and their economies, societies, cultures, politics, technology and ecology. It affects UK communities and UK poverty because of the links our economy, society and communities have with other parts of the world. There is little evidence of how globalisation affects poverty in the UK. Our work considers:

• How international connections at community levels are changing, and their effects;
• The impact of being part of the global economy on UK poverty and inequality – focusing on the experience of people on low incomes;
• How the international policy environment affects UK anti-poverty policy.

Key issues

Globalisation has a significant influence on the everyday lives of people. But its costs and benefits are unevenly distributed, as people's experiences are shaped by their own and local areas' history, resources and capacities.

Changes in employment practice associated with globalisation such as increased agency work and contracting out along with migration and the global financial crises kare causing anxiety and a sense of insecurity for many people in their work and for their children and community's future.

• The global financial crisis and rises in global food and fuel prices led to an increase in living costs in the UK, which have affected, in particular, people on low incomes. These may continue to have great impact in future. Subsequent coping measures have meant a heavy reliance on family and local support.
• Local connections with other parts of the world, combined with new communications technology, mean that events outside the UK can rapidly affect individuals and communities in the UK.
• Many local councils and regional government bodies are exploring how global links can benefit their areas. Analysis of how such international strategies can best benefit disadvantaged people and places and those on low incomes is needed.
• Global governance is relevant to poverty in the UK, but there is limited awareness of how it works, where decisions are made and how to influence them.

Key activities

The programme includes qualitative and participatory research, commissioned papers and multi-disciplinary events to bring together existing evidence and experience at community level and different parts of government and take analysis further to consider implications.

An event held in November 2010, held jointly by JRF and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), explored how globalisation impacts on UK poverty, global poverty and possible joint solutions to these.

A series of studies consider the implications of particular aspects of globalisation for UK poverty and communities. A Round-up paper summarises findings from research projects, programme papers and events run as part of the programme during 2010-11, as well as other relevant research.

A film explores the views of a range of people in Glasgow, London, Oldham and Newhaven about how globalisation affects their work, day-to-day life and communities.