Posts tagged with ‘ Big Society ’

The Big Society has always been synonymous with David Cameron. He sees the Big Society as his raison d’etre for being Prime Minister and, as we argued in One Year On, he is alone in the cabinet in being comfortable talking about it. Today’s speech reaffirms his commitment and emphasises that it is still...

There’s a lot being invested in the Big Society. The banks are dipping into their pockets to help capitalise a ‘Big Society Bank’. The investment community is being invited to support emerging social investment vehicles such as social impact bonds. And individuals are being encouraged to invest in ‘Society ISAs’.

On Monday, the Times led with ‘Big Society in crisis as economy weakens‘. On Tuesday, Sir Stuart Etherington, NCVO chief executive, warned that the Big Society risks being ‘one Big Disappointment‘ if charities aren’t given the funding they need as a new survey revealed that nearly three quarters of supported housing charities face ‘disproportionate’...

The Government will soon publish a white paper that will set out its direction on delivery of public services.

Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) have been causing a “frenzy” of interest in Whitehall over the past few months. Hardly surprising given the current fiscal challenge and their apparent ability to attract external investment to our public services.

At face value my offer is fantastic news. The more sceptical amongst you might ask how certain is that future payment. For example, if it is only 50% likely then the deal is only break even (ignoring inflation). Any worse than that and you’ll lose money.

There is no shortage of straight talking about the ambition to turn government on its head and the need for a radical shift in accountability.

How do the words ‘mutual’ and ‘co-operative’ make you feel? For many, they conjure up positive feelings of togetherness and community. Everyone loves John Lewis and we can all understand how giving people a direct stake in an organisation they work for, or are served by, is a good idea.

David Cameron launched today what he called a “power shift” from Whitehall to individuals and local communities. Behind the 30 to 40 page Business Plans announced by each department lies an attempt to answer a perennial question: how to push through, and sustain, a programme of reform?

The Behavioural Insight Team – or ‘nudge’ unit, as Ministers call it – is about applying behavioural economics and social psychology to policy in a systematic way.