There appears to be low level of interest in the big society because of the concerns that the big society is really to cover the impact of the Government cuts in public services, and since the services are a part of the glue that holds society together, the cuts have a sense of threat to social cohesion.

The Government’s flagship big society policy seeks to increase volunteering but Hansard Society’s post-general election poll shows that while 14 per cent of people were active at a community level and a further 14 per cent were willing to be active, 35 per cent described themselves as either unenthusiastic or preferring to remain as onlookers.

There is also very serious concern about the profound effect that the deficit reduction plans will have on families, children and lone parents in particular. For example, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies forecasts, by 2013 an extra one million children will be added to the 3.5 million children who live in poverty now.

No matter which way one looks at the cuts, these have differential impact on groups of people, including the rich and poor. The tax and benefit changes alone highlight this difference as the income falling by 6.5 per cent for the poorest tenth and only three per cent for the richest tenth by 2014-15.

The situation becomes more alarming considering the cutback in service spending, £36 billion, against £30bn in tax rises and £18bn in benefit cuts. Much of this comes from council spending.

Such a financial state demands robust policies and planning to ensure good future for all. It is the quality of the financial decisions and not the notion of big society that would help to achieve socio-political stability and social cohesion.

Dr Pravin Shah
General and legal secretary
Harrow Council for Justice