Journal of European Social Policy, 15(4), November 2005, pp.345-361.
Publisher:
Sage
This paper traces the development of the European Social Model from the recognition of the right to equal pay for men and women in the Treaty of Rome to agreement of a Social Policy Agenda in 2000 and the adoption of an open method of coordination (OMC) in employment (1997), social inclusion (2000) and pensions (2002). The associated framework of social indicators is considered in terms
This paper traces the development of the European Social Model from the recognition of the right to equal pay for men and women in the Treaty of Rome to agreement of a Social Policy Agenda in 2000 and the adoption of an open method of coordination (OMC) in employment (1997), social inclusion (2000) and pensions (2002). The associated framework of social indicators is considered in terms of the measurement of poverty and social exclusion on a multi-dimensional basis. Reasons for the shift from directives to the OMC are discussed, as are the proposed extension and streamlining of that process and its synchronization with economic and employment policy in 2006. The Europeanization of significant aspects of economic policy and the pervasive differences across EU welfare states in social outcome indicators and capacity for redistribution contribute to the considerable constraints on the open method of coordination in social inclusion. Fulfilling its potential is dependent on national policy legacies, political context and the involvement of a wide range of national actors in National Action Plan formulation and monitoring. While the extent of change associated with the EU social-policy agenda and the OMC, in particular, is still an open question it is concluded that the EU dimension needs to be taken into account in analysing change over time in EU countries and in comparative analysis incorporating EU countries.
Subject terms:
pensions, social inclusion, social policy, employment, European Union;
This article provides a brief overview of five small financial inclusion research projects which focus on how factors and policies inhibit or encourage personal autonomy and social mobility, specifically in the area of ethnicity. The projects are in the areas of: bank machines and ethnicity; assets and ethnicity; savings; financial advice; and pensions.
This article provides a brief overview of five small financial inclusion research projects which focus on how factors and policies inhibit or encourage personal autonomy and social mobility, specifically in the area of ethnicity. The projects are in the areas of: bank machines and ethnicity; assets and ethnicity; savings; financial advice; and pensions.
Subject terms:
pensions, personal finance, savings, social inclusion, black and minority ethnic people, ethnicity;
... and minority ethnic (BME) groups. For example, funding under the Social Inclusion Fund is being granted to a range of organisations, including at least one major consortium of community based money advice/support providers, without exploring whether or not there may be a need for targeted outreach to BME groups. Another important area is pensions. In our response to the Thoresen Review, Runnymede noted a number of features of BME labour market participation that impact their pensions provision. Our conclusions in this area convinced us that there are significant differentials for at least some BME groups in terms of access to pensions.
Financial inclusion refers to access to a range of financial goods and services, including bank accounts, credit, insurance, savings and advice. Access to such goods and services is of course vital for economic well-being, but financial exclusion may also affect broader measures of deprivation in education, employment and housing. As Runnymede argues in Financial Inclusion and Ethnicity, to tackle financial inclusion effectively, it should be considered in the broader context of social justice, especially because lack of access to financial goods and services has wider effects on individuals. Financial Inclusion is a relatively new research and policy topic, but in the past few years the Government has adopted a range of policies aimed at tackling financial exclusion, including basic bank accounts, the Saving Gateway and the Child Trust Fund. But despite the growing research and policy in addressing financial exclusion, there is virtually no research, data collection or analysis on levels and experiences of financial exclusion by ethnicity. Policy is being rapidly developed in this area without gathering and considering evidence on the possible differential impact of the policy on black and minority ethnic (BME) groups. For example, funding under the Social Inclusion Fund is being granted to a range of organisations, including at least one major consortium of community based money advice/support providers, without exploring whether or not there may be a need for targeted outreach to BME groups. Another important area is pensions. In our response to the Thoresen Review, Runnymede noted a number of features of BME labour market participation that impact their pensions provision. Our conclusions in this area convinced us that there are significant differentials for at least some BME groups in terms of access to pensions.
Subject terms:
pensions, personal finance, policy, poverty, social inclusion, ethnicity;
... and well-being of the workforce and providing back to work support. Putting in place a new pensions system and ensuring older people have a secure retirement income. Making the health and care system more personalised and sustainable. Supporting people to live independent lives in older age through improved planning and involvement in their local communities though providing improvements in housing
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report summarises the steps taken by Government to address the challenges of an ageing society, following their response to the recommendations of the Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change in July 2014. It focuses on what the government is doing to help older people in the following areas. Helping people live fuller working lives by supporting later working, improving health and well-being of the workforce and providing back to work support. Putting in place a new pensions system and ensuring older people have a secure retirement income. Making the health and care system more personalised and sustainable. Supporting people to live independent lives in older age through improved planning and involvement in their local communities though providing improvements in housing and transport, tackling loneliness and encouraging social participation . The final section reports on the Government efforts to ensure that policies are sustainable and can meet the challenges of an ageing society.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
ageing, older people, government policy, income, health care, social care, independence, pensions, social inclusion, financing;
In 2007 for the first time in the UK there were more people over State Pension age than children. This document was developed to ensure that as a society we are able to make the most of the demographic change. This will require a major cultural shift, where people are not defined by their age. This strategy sets out a programme of action to support the changes for individuals, families, the workplace, economy, public services and communities. Contents include: improving later life today; the challenge ahead, and a vision for the future; having the life you want; older people at the heart of families; engaging with work and the economy; improving financial support; better public services for later life; building communities for all ages.
In 2007 for the first time in the UK there were more people over State Pension age than children. This document was developed to ensure that as a society we are able to make the most of the demographic change. This will require a major cultural shift, where people are not defined by their age. This strategy sets out a programme of action to support the changes for individuals, families, the workplace, economy, public services and communities. Contents include: improving later life today; the challenge ahead, and a vision for the future; having the life you want; older people at the heart of families; engaging with work and the economy; improving financial support; better public services for later life; building communities for all ages.
... people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations.
This report reviews national implementation in Malta of European Union social inclusion and social protection strategies, with particular reference to equality for disabled people. It is one of a series reviewing national implementation of the open method of coordination in social inclusion and social protection, and in particular the National Strategic Reports of member states from a disability equality perspective. A main aim is to provide the Commission with useful evidence in supporting disability policy mainstreaming. The first version of the report was published in 2008; this second version is updated with information available up to November 2009. It summarises changes since the 2008 report in the areas of: housing and homelessness; new strategies and actions for the inclusion of disabled people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations.
Subject terms:
housing, low income, pensions, policy formulation, social inclusion, social policy, social welfare, benefits, disabilities, equal opportunities, European Union;
... people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations and an example of best practice.
This report reviews national implementation in Spain of European Union social inclusion and social protection strategies, with particular reference to equality for disabled people. It is one of a series reviewing national implementation of the open method of coordination in social inclusion and social protection, and in particular the National Strategic Reports of member states from a disability equality perspective. A main aim is to provide the Commission with useful evidence in supporting disability policy mainstreaming. The first version of the report was published in 2008; this second version is updated with information available up to November 2009. It summarises changes since the 2008 report in the areas of: housing and homelessness; new strategies and actions for the inclusion of disabled people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations and an example of best practice.
Subject terms:
housing, low income, pensions, policy formulation, social inclusion, social policy, social welfare, benefits, disabilities, equal opportunities, European Union;
... people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations and an example of best practice.
This report reviews national implementation in Poland of European Union social inclusion and social protection strategies, with particular reference to equality for disabled people. It is one of a series reviewing national implementation of the open method of coordination in social inclusion and social protection, and in particular the National Strategic Reports of member states from a disability equality perspective. A main aim is to provide the Commission with useful evidence in supporting disability policy mainstreaming. The first version of the report was published in 2008; this second version is updated with information available up to November 2009. It summarises changes since the 2008 report in the areas of: housing and homelessness; new strategies and actions for the inclusion of disabled people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations and an example of best practice.
Subject terms:
housing, low income, pensions, policy formulation, social inclusion, social policy, social welfare, benefits, disabilities, equal opportunities, European Union;
... people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations and an example of best practice.
This report reviews national implementation in Latvia of European Union social inclusion and social protection strategies, with particular reference to equality for disabled people. It is one of a series reviewing national implementation of the open method of coordination in social inclusion and social protection, and in particular the National Strategic Reports of member states from a disability equality perspective. A main aim is to provide the Commission with useful evidence in supporting disability policy mainstreaming. The first version of the report was published in 2008; this second version is updated with information available up to November 2009. It summarises changes since the 2008 report in the areas of: housing and homelessness; new strategies and actions for the inclusion of disabled people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations and an example of best practice.
Subject terms:
housing, low income, pensions, policy formulation, social inclusion, social policy, social welfare, benefits, disabilities, equal opportunities, European Union;
... of disabled people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations.
This report reviews national implementation in The Netherlands of European Union social inclusion and social protection strategies, with particular reference to equality for disabled people. It is one of a series reviewing national implementation of the open method of coordination in social inclusion and social protection, and in particular the National Strategic Reports of member states from a disability equality perspective. A main aim is to provide the Commission with useful evidence in supporting disability policy mainstreaming. The first version of the report was published in 2008; this second version is updated with information available up to November 2009. It summarises changes since the 2008 report in the areas of: housing and homelessness; new strategies and actions for the inclusion of disabled people; new changes in incomes, benefits and pensions; new changes in long-term care and support; and the implications of the economic crisis. Part 1 of the report considers social inclusion plans; part 2 considers incomes, pensions and benefits; and part 3 considers care and support. The report concludes with some recommendations.
Subject terms:
housing, low income, pensions, policy formulation, social inclusion, social policy, social welfare, benefits, disabilities, equal opportunities, European Union;