A new report suggests that the Covid lockdowns greatly impacted the social structure of the UK and resulted in a disastrous outcome. The report also states that those who are most disadvantaged are still facing similar challenges as they did during the financial crisis.
According to a report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), there is a risk of the country reverting to the societal divisions of the Victorian era, characterized by a growing disparity between the majority and the most economically disadvantaged.
The center reports that approximately 13.4 million individuals experience challenges in their daily lives due to family instability, low income, inadequate housing, ongoing health issues, and crime.
According to the report from the Social Justice Commission of the CSJ, titled “Two Nations: the State of Poverty in the UK,” those who are most disadvantaged in Britain have not seen any improvement in their circumstances over the past 15 years. The report also highlights the detrimental impact of pandemic lockdowns on social inequality, particularly for those who are already struggling, as it widened the gap between the wealthy and the less fortunate.
According to the report, there was a significant increase in calls to a domestic abuse helpline (700%) and cases of mental illness among young people (from 1 in 9 to 1 in 6) during the lockdown period. Additionally, severe absence from school rose by 134%, 1.2 million more individuals received working-age benefits, there was an 86% increase in people seeking help for addictions, and prisoners were confined to their cells for 22.5 hours per day.
The disparity is increasing between those who are able to survive and those who are trapped at the bottom.
60% of individuals report that their locality has a satisfactory standard of living, but this percentage decreases to less than 40% for those living in the most impoverished areas.
Two decades ago, only 11% of children were evaluated as having a mental health issue that could be identified clinically. Currently, that number has increased to 20%, and for those between the ages of 17-19, it has risen to almost 25%.
According to the report, if the current patterns persist, it is projected that by 2030, approximately 2.3 million children between the ages of five and 15, which is equivalent to one in four, may be affected by a mental disorder.
According to Andy Cook, the CEO of the Centre for Social Justice, the findings of this report are unsettling.
The implementation of lockdown policies only exacerbated the existing challenges faced by the most vulnerable members of society. Despite this, there has yet to be a comprehensive plan put forth to adequately address these issues.
This report highlights the need for more than just talks about redistributing finances. It calls for a comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying issues of poverty, education, employment, debt, addiction, and family dynamics.
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The report contains a survey of 6,000 individuals conducted by JL Partners, with 3,000 from the general population and 3,000 from the lowest income bracket.
The commission also received input from over 350 smaller charitable organizations, social enterprises, and policy experts. Additionally, they visited three countries within the UK and over 20 different towns and cities.
According to the CSJ, those who are most disadvantaged have double the concern compared to the mainstream when it comes to the state of their housing and communities being negatively affected by addiction.
The report stated that while crime rates have decreased, there is still a significant amount of violent crime. It also noted that 6% of families are responsible for half of all convictions. The number of unresolved cases in the crown courts is increasing, causing the public to lose faith in the justice system and giving criminals more confidence.
Only 8% of individuals who have been victimized feel certain that they would obtain fair treatment after reporting a crime. Additionally, only 17% of those who are most disadvantaged and reside in social housing rate their overall quality of life as at least an eight out of ten, in contrast to 52% of homeowners.
Source: theguardian.com
