Breaking the cycle

Delivering good jobs in 'doubly disadvantaged' neighbourhoods

17 October 2024
2:00–4:00pm
The People's History Museum, Manchester

This event was held to discuss how to bring more, better-quality jobs to residents in England’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

About the event

This event took place at the iconic People’s History Museum in Manchester, coinciding with the launch of a new report by the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) and Local Trust on doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods – communities that face both high levels of material deprivation and low levels of social and civic capital and infrastructure.

Based on extensive analysis, focus groups and in-depth practitioner interviews, the report outlines a blueprint for government to help these neighbourhoods thrive. Representatives from communities involved in the project will be invited to speak alongside local and regional leaders who are responsible for implementing neighbourhood-level interventions.

Download the report here.

The report welcomes the government’s missions-based approach to tackle complex problems, and its broader ambitions on tackling low quality work and the root causes of inactivity. It sets out a seven-point blueprint for government based on: embedding a bold vision for neighbourhood policy into the government’s missions-based approach; mobilising the resources needed to boost investment, tackle inactivity, and raise job quality in communities; and bringing neighbourhoods into the conversation around devolution and the renewal of local government.

We received an audience of local, regional and national attendees to join us for this discussion. The event included an audience Q&A that you can watch via the link above.

Speakers

Rachel Rowney

Chief Operating Officer, Local Trust

Rachel has overall strategic responsibility for the design and successful delivery of the Big Local programme. This includes the effective maintenance of Local Trust’s finance, business planning and performance management functions; and the management of other resources needed to ensure Local Trust is able to deliver its business.

Previously, Rachel worked as a consultant and researcher at Shared Intelligence, where she worked on neighbourhood renewal, community engagement, and social housing projects. At the same time, she was also a programme manager for the National Association for Neighbourhood Management, where she designed and delivered learning and networking programmes.

Daniel Turner

Head of Research and Analysis, Centre for Progressive Policy

Daniel has published work on industrial strategy, workers’ rights and productivity growth; regional inequalities and the politics of devolution; and public services and trust in government. Before CPP Dan was Senior Policy Advisor to the Mayor of South Yorkshire and was a researcher at Mossavar-Rahmani Centre for Business and Government at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He has held several government positions, working on devolution and place-based industrial policy as a Civil Servant.

Professor David Halpern CBE

President Emeritus, Behavioural Insights Team (BIT)

David is President Emeritus at the Behavioural Insights Team having previously been the team’s CEO. Prior to BIT, he was the first Research Director of the Institute for Government and between 2001 and 2007 was the Chief Analyst at the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. David also led the Social Exclusion Task Force and was appointed as the What Works National Advisor in July 2013, a position he held until 2022 through which he led efforts to improve the use of evidence across the UK government. He has also authored a range of research looking at neighbourhood effects, wellbeing and policy, and social capital. David is currently serving as a Commissioner on the Independent Commission on Neighborhoods.

Jeanette Harold

Big Local and CONTiNUUM CIC

Jeanette Harold is a 40-year experienced Community Development Practitioner and Manager who re-branded and re-shaped Sunderland Community Empowerment Network, developed and managed Sure Start Programmes in Cumbria and the Northeast, and contributed to the reshaping of Carlisle City Council Community Development Service. Jeanette was an area representative and advisor from the inception of the Big Local programme, helping local people get involved and have their voices heard. She has also worked across doubly disadvantaged communities including in Cumbria, Nottinghamshire, and the North East. She is the Director of CONTiNUUM CIC, a social enterprise founded to address gaps in the provision of services in the VSCE sector and to help public sector bodies and charities promote community wellbeing in their work.

Jay McKenna

Trades Union Congress (TUC) North West Regional Secretary

Jay is the Regional Secretary for the TUC in the North West, and has been in post since late 2021. Prior to this, Jay worked in the North West on policy and campaigns, supporting the work of the TUC and affiliated unions.

As Regional Secretary, Jay oversees the work of the TUC across the North West, representing over 800,000 workers from 48 TUC affiliates.

This includes supporting unions taking industrial action, co-ordinating campaigns and wider work and representing the TUC and affiliates on various bodies, including Employment Charters in Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region, and wider work on the economy and skills. Ongoing priorities include ensuring the New Deal for Workers is enacted and working with local decision makers to spread good work and improve conditions.

Sarah Crozier

Associate professor in the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity at Manchester Metropolitan University

Sarah is an associate professor in the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is also a chartered psychologist and in her practitioner career, she led and worked across a range of applied research and consultancy projects on fair treatment, wellbeing and stress at work.

Her research and teaching interests span a number of work streams concerned with optimising decent work and strengthening employee health and well-being. She has led the evaluation of the Greater Manchester Good Employment charter and works with other UK localities to share this learning. Other recent research projects include stress, emotions and well-being in alternative and marginalising types of employment; job quality and innovation in social care work; stigmatisation and identity challenges at work; and the management of mental health at work.