Over at his blog, Paul Waugh’s got the lowdown on one of the day’s most intriguing stories. To summarise: the Government’s latest White Paper (availiable here) contains a proposal from Harriet Harman that all public bodies be legally obliged to narrow the gap between rich and poor. Here it is, from page 10 of the document:
“Given the important role that public policies and services play in supporting individuals to make the most of their talents, we will consider legislating to make clear that tackling socio-economic disadvantage and narrowing gaps in outcomes for people from different backgrounds is a core function of key public services.”
I suspect I’m not alone in shuddering at the thought. Of course, reducing inequality is an extremely important cause. But the best way to go about it is by improving equality of opportunity, particuarly in the education system. Harman may well have this in mind, but the wording of the current proposal certainly doesn’t inspire confidence. And the danger is that it could just become a justification for “investment” in numerous schemes which throw money at the least well-off, without any consideration of whether that actually makes them better off. Already, Polly Toynbee’s getting excited that “tax credits and benefits would rise to lift families over the poverty threshold.” But what, then, about incentives to get back into work? What, then, about the Government’s own welfare reforms?
Paul Waugh reveals that the Cabinet “signed off” each part of today’s White Paper. But, even so, there are so many questions hovering around Harman’s proposal that I imagine it will be a tortuous affair for her to get it included in an actual legislative package. Certainly something to keep a wary eye on.
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