Researchers from the Universities of Leeds, Staffordshire and Cambridge have investigated the impact of the coal industry loss and subsequent years of Austerity on coalfield areas across the UK.
The report focuses on a number of coalfield areas; Fife and South Lanarkshire (Scotland) Barnsley and Stoke on Trent (England) and Neath/Port Talbot and Merthyr Tydfil (Wales).
Among some of the most deprived regions of the country, the researchers claim that successive Governments have failed these communities and are calling for a new type of sustained and long-term industrial policy.
The authors call for a just transition: an end to Austerity, growth policies based on revitalised public services and an economic plan that involves communities, workers and trade unions.
Report Findings
The report highlights how the impact of Austerity is causing harm to individuals and families in former coal-producing regions. Residents experience lower than average life expectancy, widespread poor health, insufficient benefits to ‘make ends meet’, and a lack of sustainable jobs.
The findings also show that women are disproportionately affected. The cuts have directly reduced basic services that women rely upon such as social care for adults, childcare, youth centres, women’s refuges and emergency housing, free legal advice, free cultural events, parks, libraries and public transport.
Professor Lisa Buckner from the University’s School of Sociology and Social Policy, who co-authored the report said: “We have found that women have been badly affected by public services cuts and consider that any new economic plan (just transition) should have a gender and equality perspective in terms of employment and training.”
Women tend to have a greater reliance on local services which have been severely affected. Austerity and the more recent cost of living crisis also mean that high childcare costs and shortfalls in provision act as a cause of poverty and a barrier to employment.
Political Choice
The authors argue that Austerity measures are a political choice that should be amended with urgent investment into public spending.
Professor David Etherington, Professor of Local and Regional Economic Development, University of Staffordshire said: “The Labour Government’s current welfare cuts follow years of Austerity by the previous Conservative Governments and will only serve to exacerbate inequalities and destitution. Austerity is a political choice, and the current Government has the power to tax the wealthy, raise public spending and address widespread poverty.”
Professor Mia Gray, Professor of Geography, University of Cambridge, added: “We argue for a new type of policy based upon participatory decision-making involving trade unions, communities and local authorities. Investment in public services, securing employment rights and quality jobs is needed to address poverty and promote social inclusion.”
Further Information
For media enquiries please contact University of Leeds press officer Morgan Buswell via email on m.buswell@leeds.ac.uk or by phone on 0113 3438059.
Photo provided courtesy of Professor Lisa Buckner, taken by her grandfather.