William Eichler 06 May 2022

Communities should be empowered to tackle cost of living crisis

Communities should be empowered to tackle cost of living crisis  image
Image: Alex Yeung / Shutterstock.com.

Over two thirds of people responding to a recent poll argue that more power should be given to local communities to tackle the cost of living crisis.

A poll of over 2,100 adults by Britain Thinks has found that just 14% are confident the Government can address the crisis, while 66% were not confident. The remaining 20% were neutral or undecided.

Nearly 80% of Respondents to the poll, which was commissioned by the think tank New Local, said Westminster and Whitehall were making decisions ‘about people and places they know little about.’

Around 68% argued that more power should be given to local communities to tackle the issue themselves. Seventy-seven percent said that in order to level up, the Government should give communities more power to decide what investment and support they need.

Just short of 80% supported providing councils with sufficient funds to invest in communities.

Adam Lent, chief executive, New Local, commented: ‘At a time when issues like cost of living and regional inequality are reaching a crisis point, trust in politicians to deliver solutions is at a catastrophic low. Meanwhile, people themselves want greater control over how to solve these problems as they appear in their own households and communities.

‘Rather than struggle for half-baked, top-down solutions, the Government should trust and resource communities to tackle the issues that are affecting them directly at a local level. That would really be giving back control.’

‘That’s why we’re calling for a Community Power Act, that would end the top-down, ineffective system that is not delivering the answers people need,’ he added.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Systems Analyst Applications

Oxfordshire County Council
£46412 - £49282
The ICT Principal Systems Analyst will be the subject matter expert on the Children's Social Care and Early Help Applications. They will be aware of and will contribute to Application roadmap developments, keep abreast of legislative changes and customer Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker/Senior Practitioner - Family Support and Safeguarding - Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£38220 - £49282
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the Family Support and Safeguarding Workbook modules, and a strengths-bas Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Financial Assessment Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£30,510 - £45,564 per annum
Financial Assessment Officer
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

HDRC Partnerships Officer

Essex County Council
£26786.00 - £31512.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
HDRC Partnerships OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£26,786 to £31,512 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Delivery Lead

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Lead the daily operations of our SEN service, ensuring every child receives the support they deserve. Working as an SEN Delivery Lead means being at t England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner