Prosperity without growth: economics for a finite planet
We must repudiate traditional economics if we're to save the planet, says Jeremy Leggett (Guardian). Every day the system in which we live tries to persuade us that our prosperity (put simply, a state in which things are going well for us) is intimately linked to whether or not gross national product is growing and whether stock markets are riding high. The core of the debate is that endless growth is a ridiculous notion because we live on a planet with finite resources, the mining and use of some of which is undermining our planet's life-support systems.
Budget blows hole in giving commitments
The Budget has caused concern for many as a result of a new cap on tax relief which many fear will affect levels of major donations. There appears to be a great disconnect of the Budget from the government’s policies towards charities and wider civil society. Ben Wittenberg (Directory of Social Change) comments that the government’s commitments to encourage giving has actually made it harder and less effective for some people and companies to give – despite putting more money in their pockets to do so.
Call for emergency action on youth unemployment
Youth unemployment has reached 'emergency point' and tackling the issue should be priority for all sectors, according to a report by the Commission on Youth Unemployment which includes recommendations on what can be done. With one in five young people not in employment, education or training, and a quarter of a million unemployed for over a year, the Commission says youth unemployment is not only one of the greatest challenges facing the country in human terms, but is also 'a £28 billion timebomb' under the nation’s finances. The report identifies ‘hotspots’ across Britain where youth unemployment has reached crisis levels. All ten local authorities in Greater Manchester are shown to have such hotspots.
For more information: http://tinyurl.com/ypunemployment
The social network
The Tameside Economic Development (TED) Network welcomed Jonathan Atkinson (of LowWinterSun) to their network meeting on 26 January 2012. Participants discussed the role of social enterprises in developing social capital and confidence to get collective economic results in Tameside.
The groups had the opportunity to network and share experiences and best practices, to understand common forms and routes to becoming a social enterprise, participants also got to learn what makes social enterprises truly different from other business forms using case studies.
Jonathan tweeted about the event afterwards, saying it could be time for a new network in Tameside. Tameside Council and the voluntary, community and faith sector in Tameside, in conjunction with TED are committed to bringing together social enterprises to share information and learning. If you are a social enterprise, or would like to be part of one, and are interested in being part of networking in Tameside about social enterprises, please contact Derin Adefajo: derin.adefajo@t3sc.org
Hidden Value
Conducted over a two year period this research highlights the far reaching benefits of the services provided by women’s organisations and the significant savings they create for the state, local economies and communities. The report found that for every pound invested into their services, women’s organisations can generate, over five years, between £5 and £11 worth of social value to women, their children, and the state.
Social enterprise – a route out of poverty for women?
Conducted by Oxfam, this research looks at whether social enterprise can be an effective route out of poverty for women, including findings from the St Peter’s ward in Tameside. For a printed copy or a summary, Email: derin.adefajo@t3sc.org
