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free at the point of delivery; and that it be
based on clinical need, not ability to pay.’
And there are many voices now calling for
a big political vision to change the fortunes
of the next generation.
A new way of framing social policy
so that everyone has access to the same
opportunities regardless of class, gender,
ethnicity or family wealth.
It’s time for power and privilege to be
taken away from the male, pale and stale
minority and given to everyone else. In the
jargon so beloved by politicians – it’s time
to level up.

An inclusive approach
One of these voices is the Social Policy
Association (SPA) but it wants to go bigger
2
and broader than the original Beveridge
Report. It’s arguing for a Royal Commission approach but communities. This year of crisis has also exposed the
going way beyond cross-party support. importance of mental health and wellbeing, areas again in
In the aftermath of the devastation left by Covid-19, the need of development and funding.
public needs to be deeply consulted, particularly minority But the report also reasons that many aspects of public
groups whose voices are often drowned out. life have been negatively exposed by Covid-19. These
The SPA is calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the include health inequalities that have allowed Covid to Photo Credit: istockphoto.com/xavierarnau
welfare system, one that provides for child care and social disproportionately impact people whose income is low or
care, two huge areas that have been exposed during the who are part of the BAME communities.
pandemic. A recent blog concludes: We have also witnessed the vulnerability of the social
‘In every crisis there is an opportunity. This pandemic has care sector, not part of the welfare system and apparently
brought immense suffering to many which will take a left to fend for itself. These, and other areas of concern,
few more years to overcome. However, it also causes us to were already present but cruelly shown up in this year of
think about how we want to build back our society better crisis. Nevertheless, it’s not all doom and gloom:
to future proof against risks ahead of us and incorporate History indicates that times of upheaval – such as the
the diverse needs and demands of citizens. We should not pandemic – can be opportunities to reshape society, but
go back to our old ways in haste but take a moment to that this requires vision and for key decision-makers to
reflect collectively how we want our welfare states to look work together in concert. (www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/
like in future.’ (www.social-policy.org.uk/spa-blog/time- publications/covid-decade-understanding-the-long-
for-a-new-beveridge-report) term-societal-impacts-of-covid-19)
On an even bigger When businesses have failed this year, pundits have
scale, after being asked often commented that the fault lines were present before
by the Government the pandemic but have opened dramatically and fatally
Office for Science the during this year.
British Academy has In other words, they were already in trouble and Covid
published its report brought things to an inevitable head. This seems to be
(The COVID Decade: especially true of businesses that have struggled with
Understanding the long- combining their in-person and online presence.
term societal impacts Which brings us of course to the Church. It seems to me
of COVID-19). As is that what is true of business is also evident in church life.
apparent in the title, The online world is here to stay, and we’ll need to adapt to
it envisages Covid’s life both on a screen and in a shared physical space. If we
impact as long term don’t, we could face the same destiny as Debenhams or Sir
and lasting. The report Philip Green’s Arcadia Group.
highlights nine areas In the end it’s about understanding the needs of our faith
of societal impact and communities (and beyond), communicating the relevance of
not all are negative. For God’s goodness in a thousand different ways. But more of
example, it argues that this at a later date.
this year of pandemic Why shouldn’t the future be bright for everyone?
has highlighted the role played by voluntary organisations
and community groups in a variety of essential and positive 1 The Beveridge Report was published in November 1942.
ways. Charities need to be strengthened, particularly since 2 The Social Policy Association (SPA) is the UK’s professional association for
they are to be found everywhere and are trusted by their teachers, researchers, students and practitioners of social policy.

Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk Spring 2021 The Plain Truth 7